Alex Carey signs four-year deal with the Adelaide Strikers in the KFC Big Bash League

Adelaide Strikers have pulled off a huge signing coup by locking in keeper-batsman Alex Carey long-term to bolster their BBL future.

Alex Carey flicks the ball off his pads against the Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval last season. Picture: Robert Cianflone (Getty Images)

The Adelaide Strikers have pulled off a signing coup, locking in star wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey for the next four seasons.

The last key piece to the Strikers’ BBL10 puzzle, local boy Carey, who was out of contract and sought by nearly every BBL franchise, has signed a mega four-year contract to stay with his hometown team.

“Alex is a key part of the group, a player and leader of the highest standard, and for him to

be at the Strikers for the next four years is a massive result for this franchise, the city and

our fans,” Strikers coach Jason Gillespie said.

The 29-year-old Carey is a world-class player who is Australia’s first-choice limited-overs gloveman.

The ONLY place to watch every single match of India’s Tour of Australia is on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Alex Carey has committed to a four-year deal with the Adelaide Strikers. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke

A key member of the Redbacks, he scored his maiden one-day international century against England in September to help the Aussies to a 2-1 series win.

Carey joined the Strikers in 2017 for BBL06, and already sits third on the team’s run-scoring list with 1163 runs at an average of 36.34 from his 35 matches, with one century (from just 56 balls against the Hobart Hurricanes in BBL07) and six fifties.

He has an elite strike rate of 129.22 and was a member of Adelaide’s BBL07 championship-winning team.

WBBL LATEST:

WBBL wrap: Healy dominates for Sixers | Strikers see off Scorchers | Heat still on fire

WBBL wrap: Meg Lanning lifts Melbourne Stars to cusp of finals berth

Carey, who is the Strikers’ vice-captain behind skipper Travis Head, also leads the team in dismissals, with 37, including 33 catches and four stumpings.

The Glenelg product said he was delighted to ink a new deal to stay with the Strikers.

“It’s my home team and it’s an unbelievable feeling playing at Adelaide Oval regularly in front of the fans, family and friends,’’ Carey said.

“The Big Bash is a competition I have loved playing in each year since I first signed, and I

can’t wait for this season’s competition to start.’’

Carey will first take the gloves in Australia’s ODI and T20 international series against India, starting on Friday.

He is expected to link up with the Strikers, who are currently training in Coffs Harbour after being rushed out of Adelaide because of the COVID-19 outbreak, next month.

Carey’s signing completes Adelaide’s BBL10 squad.

It is: Danny Briggs, Rashid Khan, Phil Salt (overseas internationals), Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Travis Head (capt), Spencer Johnson, Michael Neser, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Matt Renshaw, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells and Daniel Worrall.

Former New South Wales batsman Ryan Gibson, playing club cricket in Adelaide, is travelling with the team as a replacement player for Head if he is on Test duty.

Gillespie said the Strikers had assembled a squad “that covers every facet of the T20 game’’.

SUPERCOACH BBL:

Isa Guha reveals her KFC SuperCoach BBL team for BBL10