The defending champions Australia were completely outplayed by the hosts as England ended up winning the second semifinal comprehensively at Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 11. Even though the Aussies lost the match, there were many positives for them ahead of the Ashes.

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, who played a superb knock of 46 (70) after being hit on the jaw by a deadly bouncer from English pacer Jofra Archer, was one of the positives for the Baggy Greens.

Steve Waugh, who is going to mentor the Australian team during the Ashes was asked if Carey could play the Ashes, the former Australia skipper said, “He definitely could. He reminds so much of Michael Hussey. It looks like he's got every facet of his game under control.”

“I think he's definitely in the frame to be picked purely as a batsman. I'm not a selector, but he's definitely good enough,” added the 54-year-old former captain.

Along with Steve Waugh, the legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne also praised the left-hand batsman Carey as he said, “The way he's played through this tournament he might be a chance to play as a batsman in the Ashes.”

Carey who has batted mostly at No.7 in his 29-game ODI career also bats at the same number for the Redbacks, but his promotion up the order in the game against archrivals England in the second semifinal shows the progress he has made as a batsman.

While talking to the 27-year-old about his knock against England at Edgbaston, he said, “It was not the situation I would have liked to have come in at (with Australia 3-14 in the seventh over) but it was obviously good to get an opportunity and I was disappointed not to go a bit further with 'Smudge' (Smith).”

(With news18.com inputs)