Aaron Finch’s knee injury will force the captain to miss Australia’s first ODI against West Indies in Barbados, where Alex Carey will serve as stand-in skipper.
Alex Carey will lead Australia in their one-day series opener against West Indies, becoming the nation’s 26th ODI captain.
Carey will serve as stand-in skipper on Wednesday (AEST), when injured opener Aaron Finch misses the first of three ODIs in Barbados.
Pat Cummins, who was appointed Australia’s sole vice-captain in the 50-over format ahead of Carey last year, would ordinarily have been elevated.
But Cummins is among the group of stars sitting out the tour because of biosecurity bubble fatigue.
Former captain Steve Smith’s absence in the current touring party, because of an elbow injury, also ensured there was no chance of him reclaiming the reins.
Matthew Wade was vice-captain in the recent Twenty20 series.
Carey, whose leadership and wicketkeeping are both held in high regard by selectors, has been given the job in the second leg of the tour.
“For a long period of time Alex has shown an extremely high level of professionalism and discipline as a fantastic leader,” coach Justin Langer said.
“I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job with the support of the other senior players.”
Carey said he was “deeply honoured”.
“To captain Australia is one of the greatest privileges in sport,” he said.
“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.”
Carey, who has played 42 ODIs, shared vice-captaincy duties between 2018 and 2020 before Cricket Australia opted to revert to a sole vice-captain in Cummins.
However, national selectors asked gloveman Carey to captain Australia A during 2020-21.
Carey, who is yet to don the baggy green, is widely expected to be Tim Paine’s successor behind the stumps in the Test side.
Paine has given no firm indication of when he might retire but will be 37 come the end of this summer’s Ashes.
Finch, who suffered a knee injury in the fifth T20 last week, will be monitored closely before ODIs on Friday and Sunday.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to seeing this guy in our Test Team.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
Again… we have a whole heap of top order batsman, and not enough batsman who can and do succeed in the middle order. Theyd be better to put McDermott at the top of the order, its where he had success for Tassy in the Marsh cup. Carey can and does bat well in the middle order in ODIs, he did well in the world cup. If Wade is playing, he’d probably open and they might want a bit more experience in the side, but maybe he could bat down the order. Marsh has probably earned a go at 3? Phillipe bats down the order in shield and he hasnt done himself and favours this tour so far, but domestically opens in t20 and I think one dayers. They also have to get 50 overs – so will need Marsh and someone else to carry a number of overs. McDermott, Wade or Phillipe ?, Marsh, Henriques/Carey, Carey/Henriques, Wade maybe?, Turner, Agar, Starc, Hazzlewood, Swepson/Zampa,
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Selling themselves short not picking an 11th player. :silly: Who did you miss?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Alright fair enough ... I'll wait and see what happens. It's just that I am afraid ... so very very afraid.
matth
Roar Guru
I'm simply pointing out that you will consider Paine's summer a failure, win lose or draw. Seems harsh to me.
matth
Roar Guru
Well done to Alex Carey, the logical choice from those available on tour. He must be under increasing pressure from Inglis however. So we will bat something like this? Phillipe Carey Marsh Henriques McDermott Turner Agar Starc Hazlewood Zampa Hard to see us posting a winning score consistently with that line up. Finch Warner Labs Smith Maxwell all missing
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Not to mention DRS and bowling first at the Oval ... do you think I am being too hard on him?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
It's not losing per se, it's losing or drawing when there was no sane way not to win ala Headingly, Sydney and Brisbane.
matth
Roar Guru
Well done, you've ensure there is no way Tim Paine can be considered of use, regardless of results. I assume you will blame him if we lose?
Paul
Roar Guru
agreed, seems perfectly reasonable to me.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Middle age incumbent player, one of 2 vice captains at one stage, the other missing on this tour, doesn't seem out of left field.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Good luck to Carey. Interestingly there was once a school.of though in Australia that a wicket keeper wasn't a good fit to Captain! I guess Gilchrist changed that in India, but that thinking has well and truly changed thankfully with 3 different keepers having the job (Wade stepping up in T20 last year) in all formats. It all just confirms what my old keeping Premiership winning Captain Coach believed all along!
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I respectfully differ Jeff: Any success this summer will be in spite of Paine’s captaincy not on account of it.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
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Jeff
Roar Rookie
If we win the Ashes, I suspect his captaincy will have counted for something on the field.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Let’s hope it’s his last Brian. My big fear is that an Ashes win will see him stay on. I don’t mind his keeping and even occasional batting to prop up a team innings after top order failures, but his captaincy is a non-entity when it counts on field.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I also don't get why captains suddenly have to be flawless human beings. No human is without flaws.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm sure Carey will do a good job. He's now got enough experience to make a go of this role and has plenty of off field support too. I'm more interested in what the Aussie batting lineup will look like. The squad is not exactly flush with batsmen. I hope Dan Christian gets a game, just to see how he goes in this format.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not sure I get the logic. Carey is captain for one ODI game at this stage and only has this role because Pat Cummins isn't on tour.
Brian
Guest
If this is how highly they rate Carey I'd say its safe to say this summer will be Paine's last. They'd probably also like a candidate for next captain aif they can get one as Labuschagne, Smith & Cummins all have their shortcomings in replacing Paine.