Alex Carey To Captain Australia In First ODI vs West Indies In Place For Injured Aaron Finch

Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey is set to become the 26th man to captain Australia in ODI cricket as he will take the captaincy duties for the first ODI against West Indies, on Tuesday in Barbados, after regular skipper Aaron Finch has been ruled out of the first ODI.

Finch sustained a knee injury during the T20I series last week and will be monitored on a “day by day” basis.

An already depleted Australia, who lost the T20I series 4-1, becomes weaker in the absence of Finch, their skipper and opener. Matthew Wade, Josh Philippe opened alongside Finch in the T20I series. Alex Carey, who was benched in the T20Is, could also open in the ODIs having done it previously in his career as well.

I am deeply honoured to be able to lead the team: Alex Carey

Alex Carey has captained Australia A, Adelaide Strikers, and South Australia. He was previously a joint vice-captain of the ODI side with Pat Cummins. However, Cummins is not part of this tour so the left-handed ‘keeper-batsman now gets the chance to lead his country for the first time.

“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,” Alex Carey 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 and one I very much look forward to for as long as I have the opportunity,” he added.

Justin Langer, the Australia head coach, said: “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 an opportunity for his first experience as captain. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job with the support of the other senior players.”