Jamie Siddons says post-Ashes handover from Tim Paine to Alex Carey as Test keeper makes sense
Australia must look to its Test future and pick keeper Alex Carey and batsman Travis Head this summer, says Redbacks coach Jamie Siddons.
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Alex Carey is “absolutely ready” to succeed Tim Paine as Test keeper while prolific Australian vice-captain Travis Head was unlucky to be dropped, says Jamie Siddons.
Having presided over ruthless omissions of Head and Mitchell Starc for the final Ashes Test at The Oval that Australia lost, selectors must decide if skipper Paine’s Test journey will continue this summer.
Asked if Carey should take over from Paine, 34, despite the captain retaining the Ashes in England, South Australian coach Siddons said: “I would hope so.
“I would hate to shoot Painey down but if you are looking to the future, which they probably should after the Ashes, Alex is the obvious choice.”
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The Redback averaged 62.5 with the bat to earn World Cup team-of-the-tournament selection. Carey, 28, impressed for Sussex after Australia’s Cup campaign with 264 runs at a strike rate of 152.
He delivered match-winning knocks of 56 and 69 not out in his only championship match against Middlesex at Hove last month.
“He hasn’t stopped making runs since the World Cup started,” Siddons said.
“He is in great form, a great player to have around and a very good keeper now. He is absolutely ready.”
Paine, 34, wants to extend his 26-Test career after guiding Australia through a tumultuous 18 months.
Carey will be ready to go if selectors call ahead of the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane from November 21 but expects Paine to kick on.
“I think I am around the mark but Tim is going quite well with the bat, behind the stumps and retaining an Ashes,” Carey told The Advertiser. “It would be hard to move a guy on from that.”
Mitch Marsh was recalled to bolster Australia’s weary attack at The Oval and ignited with a five-wicket first-innings haul. The allrounder failed in both innings with the bat.
Preferred to Head at No. 5, veteran Matt Wade missed out (19) as Australia conceded a decisive 69-run first-innings deficit. Wade responded with 117 in a futile rescue mission as the visitors lost by 135 runs.
Siddons said Head — with a Test average of 51.5 this year — had deserved retention. Hapless openers David Warner, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft made life tough for Australia’s middle order.
“He went in, in trying circumstances to resurrect something that wasn’t done up in front of him, so a little bit unlucky,” Siddons said of Head.
“I thought he had done enough to survive and get the last Test.”
Head wanted to lead SA’s opening one-day games starting next Tuesday against Queensland in Brisbane but was told by Cricket Australia to rest. Jake Lehmann will captain in Head’s absence.