Australia Call-Up Alex Carey As Tim Paine's Backup

Australia stumper, Tim Paine, is doubtful for the second ODI of the series against England and selectors have flown in Alex Carey as a measure. Paine is suffering from gastro bug and needs to prove his fitness before the start of the ODI.

Should Paine be match-fit, he would continue to keep wickets for his side while a failure in proving fitness can see Carey making his international debut.

Selectors resisted a temptation of going back to Mathew Wade for the job, which now also means that he might have played his last international game last year. Selectors also had an option to go for Peter Handscomb, but Carey won the race.

Carey has played 23 first-class, and 15 List A matches. In first-class cricket, he has 1095 runs with 89 dismissals behind the stumps while in 15 List A contests, he has 17 dismissals. He is currently the second highest run-scorer in the ongoing Big Bash League with 368 runs at 61.33. He is joining the national side with a century on his back which he scored yesterday (January 17) against Hobart Hurricanes.

Tim Paine is not the only scare which Australia have suffered as it has been confirmed that Josh Hazlewood will not play second ODI of the series. He is down with virus illness. In his absence, Jhye Richardson will make his ODI debut.

The second ODI of the series will be played on January 19 at The Gabba in Brisbane. Australia are currently trailing in the series by 0-1. England won the high-scoring first ODI when they chased a huge total of 305.

Riding on a century from Aaron Finch, Australia crossed the 300 run mark and posted a huge total, but Jason Roy’s magical innings of 180 off 151 kept England in the game, and they chased down the big total.

The limited overs series also comprises of a total of five ODIs followed by a T20I tri-series, with New Zealand as the third side.

Follow the Gillette ODI series here: Australia Vs. England, 2018