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The Ashes | Alex Carey confirmed for Test debut as Australia move on from Tim Paine

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Alex Carey has been named in Australia’s 15-man squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming Ashes series and Cricket Australia has confirmed him as the replacement for the erstwhile captain Tim Paine, who went on to an indefinite break away from the game. Carey will take the gloves and will debut at the Gabba in the first Test starting December 08.

“I am incredibly humbled by this opportunity,” Carey said. “It’s an exciting build-up for what is a huge series.”

Carey has been picked ahead of Josh Inglis, who has got strong support for his batting abilities.

There was always speculation over Paine’s place in the side after his resignation from captaincy. A school of thought did not find him deserving to take the wicketkeeping gloves for Australia but he got strong backing from his teammates such as Nathan Lyon, who came forward rating him as the “best wicketkeeper” in the world. However, all those speculations and guesswork were ended as soon as Paine opted out of the game.

Australia will start their new era with the Ashes series as the new leadership group comprising of Pat Cummins and Steve Smith, who is returning to the group after a gap of three years.

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