Last Updated: December 04, 2023, 19:00 IST
Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine was glad to see the Australian choice committee stick to Alex Carey as their most important wicketkeeper-batter in the squad for the primary Test at Optus Stadium in Perth beginning on December 14.
Carey has been Australia’s red-ball wicketkeeper since Paine performed his final Test in 2021, however has just lately misplaced his ODI and T20I spots to Josh Inglis. Carey just lately made 81 for South Australia towards Victoria in final week’s Sheffield Shield conflict in making ready for the Tests towards Pakistan.
“Alex Carey, as we touched on, is still first choice Test ’keeper. He hasn’t had a great period of white-ball cricket, but I don’t think his Ashes form was so bad that he wouldn’t be selected for this one.”
“He scored a really good 80 here during the week (in the Sheffield Shield). I thought his keeping in the Ashes series was absolutely outstanding. So, I’m glad they’ve stuck with him,” stated Paine on SEN Radio.
Another participant who had his Test spot questioned is veteran opener David Warner, who has expressed his want to retire from the format after the three-Test collection towards Pakistan ends in his hometown Sydney.
Paine thinks the selectors have been proper to stay with Warner as a substitute of changing him with Cameron Bancroft.
“I think it was pretty clear in the lead-up that Warner was going to play. I thought his World Cup form was excellent and I know they’re different formats, but I think he’s been proven and good enough for long enough to stay with him for the start of this series.”
“It doesn’t guarantee him right through, he’s got to perform, but I thought his World Cup form… he looked as good as we’ve seen him for a long time. So, I didn’t mind that selection.”
An attention-grabbing addition to the 14-man squad was tearaway fast Lance Morris, however Paine doesn’t see him making his Test debut at this stage.
“With Lance Morris, there’s talk of him making his debut. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. But I think if they pick their best three quicks, he’ll be on the sidelines.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – IANS)
