Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper batsman, admitted feeling bad over removal as one of the vice-captains to skipper Aaron Finch in Australia's limited-overs outfit. 

Ahead of the white-ball tour of UK, Finch informed that he recommended the team going back to a traditional leadership hierarchy post the South Africa trip earlier this year, where fast bowler Pat Cummins is the only deputy to the captain. 

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Finch explained the rationale behind the decision saying, he and the management wanted to "try to streamline the process a bit more, especially on the field", adding that, "having that one direct line for me is really important."

"At times if you have seven or eight guys going to three or four people, sometimes it can feel a little bit clouded and you just get to a point where you have so much advice. So for Pat to be able to filter that out on the field will be a huge help."

Carey had been a co-vice-captain since the new structure was implemented by Justin Langer upon his arrival as head coach in 2018. 

The 28-year-old felt "disappointed", but said he understood why Cummins has now been deemed the only subaltern. 

"I've had a lot of clarity around the decision," he said. "You're always going to be disappointed with that but I'm also really grateful and thankful for the opportunity I've had in that role in the past 24 months."

"I would love to still have the title next to my name but it's not going to change anything from my end. I'm still going to rock up with a big smile on my face and try really hard around the group. It's going back to the old model, which has worked in the past."

"Pat Cummins is a fantastic leader and Aaron Finch is as well. Through the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell – there's so many senior figures and heads around the group that we're not reliant on just one or two people (to lead). The decision sits really comfortably with me now," Carey added. 

Developing leadership replacements for Finch, who has expressed his desire to end his international career at the 2023 World Cup in India, and Test skipper Tim Paine, will definitely be a focus for the selectors and the management within this four-year cycle. 

For Carey, personally, he says the demotion didn't hurt as much and he remains upbeat about playing for his country. 

"I just want to play cricket for Australia and … if there isn't a title next to my name that's fine," he said. "I'm really keen to just to play the best cricket I can play. I'm just really excited to go on this trip, it's been six months (since) we played cricket."

"You never know down the track – I really enjoy captaining the Adelaide Strikers and the Redbacks team in the past, so hopefully there's more of that when Travis is playing at Australian level and I'm there (with SA or the Strikers)."

"I don't see it as a setback, I see it as a really big opportunity just to go out there and perform my skills."

Australia travels to England for three T20Is and three ODIs, beginning September 4. 

(Inputs from cricket.com.au)