Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Australian legend Adam Gilchrist has backed Alex Carey to perform well in the most difficult assignment of his Test career.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 08:35 IST
Adam Gilchrist backs Alex Carey to perform in Border-Gavaskar Trophy (AFP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Australia great Adam Gilchrist reckons Alex Carey’s wicketkeeping is improving and he will be up to the challenge of keeping in India, one of the toughest places on the planet to do so.
Carey, who has been Australia’s wicket-keeper since Tim Paine stepped down due to off-field issues, has excelled in his brief Test career, scoring 633 runs in 15 Tests at an average of 39.56, including a century and three innings over 50.
“Just try and relax and trust that work and I think he does that, anyway,” Gilchrist told AAP.
“In India, you’re going to have some challenging situations and probably some missed opportunities, that’s just the nature of the beast and the amount of time you can potentially spend over the stumps in challenging conditions.
Carey will bat at number seven for Australia during the series, which begins on Thursday in Nagpur with the pitch looking dry and lifeless but likely ready to take spin challenge.
“He could well be keeping a lot to the reverse swinging ball, on pitches that are low and you’ve got to stand a lot closer so he’ll be well aware of all the potential conditions.”
Carey will benefit from last year’s Test tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. While he scored 179 runs at an average of 59.66 against Babar Azam’s men, it was his counter-attacking 45 off 47 in Galle that helped Australia take a 1-0 lead.
Carey is unquestionably one of the best spinners in the Australian lineup. He is a dangerous sweep and reverse-sweep exponent, and although he has never toured India before, he could be a real thorn in the hosts’ flesh.
