Alex Carey, Pat Cummins wait in wings as Aaron Finch faces fitness test for T20 series opener
Australian Twenty20 skipper Aaron Finch’s fitness battle has thrown the spotlight on Alex Carey and Pat Cummins’ ride from the cricket wilderness to leadership contention.
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Australian Twenty20 skipper Aaron Finch’s fitness battle has thrown the spotlight on Alex Carey and Pat Cummins’ ride from the cricket wilderness to leadership contention.
Finch is confident of facing Sri Lanka in the T20 series opener in Adelaide on Sunday but the opener’s side strain is more serious than first thought. Finch must pass a fitness test to play as Australia doubles down on winning the 2020 World T20 at home.
“It will just be a case of assessing how it goes, having a hit (Saturday) and keep reassessing,” Finch said.
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When Carey, 28, was appointed GWS’s inaugural AFL skipper in 2010 there was little inkling of a reincarnation as Australian T20 skipper.
“I have definitely learnt about my game over the last 12 months and hopefully I can improve off my short T20 experiences I have had so far,” keeper-batsman Carey told The Advertiser.
Carey has just 19 T20 internationals in the bank but lauded the influence of coach Justin Langer and experienced Finch.
“I think leadership comes with performance. The experience I am getting at international level and things off field, I try to pride myself on the standards I set around the group,” said Carey who enjoys heavyweight backing from chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns.
“The on-field stuff is working with Finchy, learning from JL, the tactical side of things. The more games you play the more you learn in different situations and that will come with time.”
Having replaced Tim Ludeman as South Australian keeper three years ago, Carey’s progress has been as smooth as it is remarkable.
Carey was included in the 2019 World Cup team of the tournament just 18 months after his one-day debut against England in Brisbane.
Nothing daunts Carey, who is eyeing Australian T20 World Cup assaults next year then 2021 in India.
“There is always a bit more time than you think, being a bit calmer in situations,” said Carey, understudy to Test keeper and captain Tim Paine.
“It is a very strong group of guys that we are seeing coming together to play in these T20s.
“The names at the top of the list with David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Finch, there is some fire power. If you throw in Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins and look across the list it is a good platform for Australian cricket 12 months out.
“This is group is really excited to get stuck in and set some good standards leading into the World Cup.”
Cummins is the antithesis of the dumb fast bowler but Australia’s hierarchy is wary of overburdening it’s most valuable commodity. Cummins, the No.1-ranked Test bowler, spent six years sidelined primarily by career threatening back stress fractures.
Australia is reticent to bestow captaincy on fast bowlers but 192cm Cummins, 26, notes how counterparts have excelled juggling responsibilities in the shortest format.
Bowling all-rounder Darren Sammy led the West Indies to the 2016 World T20 title in India, while slinger Lasith Malinga will steer Sri Lanka against Australia in Adelaide on Sunday.
“In T20 cricket, I have seen a few leagues around the world there has been a few more fast bowling captains than perhaps other formats,” Cummins said. “But I think you choose who you think is going to be best for the role regardless of their role in the side.”