Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch has been ruled out of the first ODI against West Indies because of a knee injury picked up in the fifth and final T20I of the series (1-4). Alex Carey becomes Australia’s 26th ODI captain in the history of the game.
The left-handed wicket-keeper batsman has the experience of leading Adelaide Strikers, South Australian Redbacks and Australia A previously. In the Big Bash League, while leading the Adelaide Strikers, Carey has a win-loss record of 7-8.
He led Australia’ A’ against India last summer at the SCG in a warm-up game. He was also the Australian joint vice-captain of the ODI team back when the selectors had gone the way of naming two vice-captains.
“I am deeply honoured to be able to lead the team while Aaron recovers. To captain Australia is one of the greatest privileges in sport and an honour I am extremely thankful to receive.
Finchy is our captain and we will welcome him back with open arms when he is fully fit, so for now I hope I can fill the role to his extremely high standards.
To lead this group against the West Indies in the West Indies is a great challenge and one I very much look forward to for as long as I have the opportunity,”
Alex Carey was quoted saying.
Australia’s head coach Justin Langer spoke highly of Carey as well.
“For a long period of time Alex has shown an extremely high level of professionalism and discipline as a fantastic leader within this group.
The injury to Finchy gives Alex the opportunity of his first experience as captain.
I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job with the support of the other senior players,”
he stated.
With Finch ruled out of the first ODI, Australia could well have a completely different top seven when compared to the last ODI they played against India back at home in November-December last year.
Alex Carey and Moises Henriques are the only players from the batting point of view that played that series against Virat Kohli and co. Australia have Matthew Wade, Josh Phillipe, Ben McDermott, Mitchell Marsh and Ashton Turner among the batters and batting all-rounders in the squad apart from Carey and Henriques.
This series against West Indies will be Australia’s third in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. They are currently third on the points table with 40 points (four wins and two losses). They won 2-1 against England away and against India at home in the second half of 2020.
