India vs Australia 2019, 1st ODI, Hyderabad - Alex Carey to Return to the XI, hints Aaron Finch

The wicketkeeper-batsman, Alex Carey will return to the ODI setup for the India series, captain Aaron Finch has hinted. Though a final call on the playing XI is yet to be taken, Finch confirmed Carey would keep the gloves. During the T20Is, it was Peter Handscomb who kept the wickets ahead of Alex. Not only he performed well with the gloves in hand, but Handscomb also played a crucial role in helping Australia win Bengaluru T20I by seven wickets.

Carey to bat where in the XI?

Alex Carey, during the India ODIs early this year, opened with Aaron Finch. However, the skipper said the left-handed batsman could get demoted to no.7 on the lineup in ODIs.

Meanwhile, ahead of the first ODI against India, Finch said Carey would be disappointed on missing out on the T20Is. He added the way Pete (Handscomb) had batted during the BBL for Stars; they had thought of including him. Also, with Peter on the list, Australia had the luxury of playing an extra bowler.

“Alex has done well when he’s had his opportunities and I know he was really disappointed missing out on the T20 games,” Finch said. “But Pete had done a good job for the Stars and gave us the luxury of playing that extra bowler as well, which was so important at the end of the day. Going forward, (the keeper) is probably likely to be in that middle-order, No.7 spot.”

Maxwell can bat higher up the order

Moreover, there had been talks about altering Glenn Maxwell’s batting position in ODI cricket. In the T20Is against India, the all-rounder starred with the bat – scoring 56 and 113* in two games, helping Australia blank the hosts in the shortest format. In 2019 in ODI cricket, Maxwell had earlier batted at number seven against India at home. Though Glenn had performed well at that spot, questions were raised over his credentials in the 50-over format.

As the Oz gears up India ODIs, which begins on March 2nd in Hyderabad; Finch talked about Maxwell’s batting slot. He hinted nothing in certain, but Maxi could be seen batting up the order.

“His two knocks here were unbelievable,” Finch said. “Especially that last one, it was as good a T20 innings I’ve ever seen in terms of a big run chase, where the rate was always hovering around 10-11-12 which makes it difficult to manage your risk-reward scenarios. He’ll get an opportunity a bit higher up the order, no doubt.”

“His record in India is very good, the way he played in Australia, even in the ODIs there was some really good improvement. So whether that’s six, whether it’s five – I’m not exactly sure yet. But he’ll get an opportunity a bit higher than seven I’d imagine.” Finch concluded.