Australia’s white-ball vice-captain Alex Carey is all set to get his first taste of Indian Premier League action when he will make turnout for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the upcoming 13th edition of the IPL starting March 29. The Delhi based franchise purchased Carey for Rs 2.40 crore at the auction last year.
As the wicketkeeper-batsman is gearing up to make his IPL debut, Carey relished the opportunity to learn from DC head coach Ricky Ponting, saying he is eager to soak up every bit of knowledge he can when he links up with the Australian legend in the IPL 2020.
He got to learn few things from Australia’s three-time World Cup winner Ponting during the 2019 World Cup in England, as he was part of Australia coach Justin Langer's coaching staff last year and now he is excited to sit alongside him and soak up the cricketing prowess of the DC coach.
Carey was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Tuesday (March 3): “I loved working with Punter, he was fantastic. He's really calm, he's really clear with his messaging. I can't wait, even if I'm not playing, to just sit alongside him (Ponting) and chat cricket with him. I'll probably hang out of his pocket for the few months that I'm there.”
He is also looking forward to gain the experience of playing spin in the subcontinent, adding: “Delhi is really strong at the top with the openers and Rishabh Pant at No.4 so if there's an opportunity, it'd be at five or six, which is great for me if I can keep improving my game in the subcontinent. Delhi's a nice spinning wicket so there will be some work to do when we get over there.”
However, the 28-year-old has firmly established himself as Australia's first-choice wicketkeeper in the white-ball formats, but he admitted that he's likely to be the second option for Delhi after Pant.
Carey signed off by saying, “I'm not sure, but I'd say he'd get the first crack at it. He's done pretty well before in the IPL. I enjoy running around, try and have lots of energy and get the arm warm (but) my shoulder's not too strong.”
(With cricket.com.au Inputs)
