Carey given chance to prove World Cup credentials in India series

Australia’s Alex Carey in action, England v Australia, Fifth One-Day International at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain 24 June 2018 – Action Images via Reuters

SYDNEY (Reuters): Alex Carey will be given the opportunity to push for a top order spot at the World Cup when he opens the batting with Australia captain Aaron Finch against India in the first of three one-day matches in Sydney on Saturday.

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has played just six previous one-day internationals and typically batted in the middle order, where he has scored 172 runs at an average of 34.40.

Carey, however, is also an aggressive opening batsman in domestic Twenty20 cricket and Finch said the selectors wanted to see what options they had in their batting order as they prepare for their World Cup defence in England later this year.

“It’s just an opportunity to see Alex play in a position he’s done quite bit in Big Bash and one-day cricket,” Finch told reporters on Friday, where he added that Peter Siddle would make his return to ODI cricket for the first time in eight years.

“It’s a position he’s performed really well within the last couple of years. We are starting to get a balanced side that we feel can adapt to a lot of different conditions.”

Finch might project some overt confidence of his side’s chances against the Indians and the May. 30-July 14 World Cup, but they are arguably under more scrutiny than ever before.

The selections have been second-guessed by commentators and former players while current players have also openly voiced their concerns over the process.

The five-times world champions are also still reeling from the fallout of a ball-tampering scandal last March and the 12-month suspension of two of their best batsmen in Steve Smith and David Warner, while recent results have been terrible.

Of their last 20 completed ODI matches they have won just three, but Finch said they still had time to fine tune selections and tactics ahead of their World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Bristol on 1 June.