Cricket Australia (CA), on Thursday (December 2), officially confirmed Alex Carey as Australia's new Test wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the first Ashes 2021-22 Test against England, starting on December 8 in Brisbane.
Alex Carey will make his Test debut as the wicketkeeper in the opening Test in Brisbane after he was named in the 15-member Australia squad for the first two Tests against England.
30-year-old Carey, who has 83 international caps to his name and more than 200 matches in First-Class, List A, and T20 formats, replaced Tim Paine as Australia wicketkeeper after the former captain took a mental health break following his resignation as the skipper over a sexting scandal last month.
Carey was preferred ahead of Western Australia's Josh Inglis for the job.
Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said: “Alex has been a regular member of the national side in white-ball cricket, particularly in the one-day game. He is an excellent cricketer and a fine individual who will bring many great strengths to the team. He will be a very deserved holder of baggy green cap number 461.”
Meanwhile, Carey said of the much-awaited call-up to the Test side: “I am incredibly humbled by this opportunity. It's an exciting build-up for what is a huge series ahead. My focus is on preparing and playing my part in helping Australia secure the Ashes.”
He further added, “This is also for my dad who has been my coach, mentor, and mate, my mum, my wife Eloise, kids Louis and Clementine, my brother and sister, and all of those who have supported me. I will be doing my absolute best to make them and our country proud.”
On Paine, the new keeper said: “We all know there is a lot going on at the moment and my first thoughts are with Tim (Paine) and his family. Hopefully, we see him back here soon. The full squad is with him and his family.”
Well, Carey is also determined not to be overwhelmed by the news and focus on his game and hopes to deliver his best for Australia in the first Test against England in Brisbane.
He signed off by saying, “I'll focus on what I've done in the past to get to this moment and not be too overwhelmed by that. It's the biggest game I'll play and I'll try to perform the best I can. To hopefully have full stands, an Ashes series on home soil, it's really boyhood dreams coming true and excited to prepare as best I can.”
Australia squad for first two Ashes Tests:
Pat Cummins (capt) Alex Carey (WK), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
(With AFP Inputs)
