Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Alex Carey 'nipping at the heels' of Tim Paine - Adam Gilchrist

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Wednesday, 11 December 2019 02:33

Alex Carey is "nipping at the heels" of Tim Paine but the future of Australia's Test captain remains in his own hands, according to Adam Gilchrist.

It is not beyond the realms that the New Zealand series, which starts in Perth on Thursday, marks Paine's last home internationals. After the Sydney Test in early January, Australia's next assignment is a two-match series in Bangladesh in June before the next home summer.

Steven Smith's leadership ban will be completed at the end of March which means he will be eligible for a return to captaincy, and Gilchrist picked out him and Pat Cummins as potential options to replace Paine. The upturn in Australia's Test form this year has cemented Paine's position and it appears unlikely he will be pushed out, but having turned 35 a few days ago there may also come a time when he feels it is time to move on.

From a batting point of view, Carey has made 143 and 73 in his last two Sheffield Shield outings and is the natural successor to Paine. It is a position Gilchrist has first-hand experience of, having been the man who replaced Ian Healy in 1999.

"I reckon while ever he is in the team he should be captain," Gilchrist, who is a Fox Cricket commentator, said. "And then let's see after these three Tests - that is the summer for him. See how he feels at the end of this summer. I feel it was more of a light-hearted comment when he said it might be his last summer. But like all players that are getting to that age bracket, it's almost a summer-by-summer analysis.

"It's almost like deja vu - not for him, but for me - when you've got a guy like Alex Carey nipping at his heels. He's starting to show some really promising signs of consistency now in his Sheffield Shield cricket. With his overall game and where the attention gets drawn to is his run-scoring. His wicketkeeping seems to be extremely consistent. As is Paine's. But Carey is now starting to really accumulate important runs in first-class cricket, so that is going to really put pressure on him.

"If he is playing next summer, Paine should be captain of the Australian cricket team. But we will have to see at the end of the summer if he is still in there - whether it's his own personal judgement or the selectors'. As long as he warrants a spot in the team, he can keep leading the team. I'm amazed at the way he has helped rebuild and reshape the team after the disaster of South Africa."

Though Paine's Test average remains a modest 30.97 (he has barely been needed so far this summer with the prolific returns of Australia's top order), Gilchrist believes he has a significant innings him should Australia need it.

"Tim's chipped in with some really important innings," Gilchrist said. "He hasn't got the breakthrough runs but he plays a decent role with the bat. I'd be surprised if in this series there's not a time when we're under pressure whether it's a 40, 50 or a 70 that he plays his role. He's so experienced he can fulfill that. The only time the attention is drawn to him is if someone else is breathing down his neck that they may be able to add value."

From Paine's point of view, he said he had not given his future any more thought since the start of the international season. "In terms of competition, when you are playing for Australia as the wicketkeeper, there's constant competition," he said. "We are renowned for having excellent wicketkeeper-batsmen and that's no different at the moment. As I touched on, it's a great environment in our set-up and I'm enjoying every minute of it and will continue to do so as long as I can."

Read 309 times

Soccer

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

Ipswich vs Man United: VAR stopped by fire alarm

Ipswich vs Man United: VAR stopped by fire alarm

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsVAR was temporarily suspended during Manchester United's clash at I...

Amorim era begins with fastest Utd goal of season

Amorim era begins with fastest Utd goal of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRúben Amorim was made to wait just 81 seconds for the first goal of...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLaMelo Ball became the third-youngest player in NBA history, and th...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated