South Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey scores timely century in Marsh Cup

South Australian gloveman Alex Carey has sent a timely reminder to the national selectors as they deliberate over Tim Paine’s replacement.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 28: Alex Carey of the Redbacks celebrates bringing up his century during the Marsh One Day Cup match between South Australia and Queensland at Adelaide Oval, on November 28, 2021, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

South Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey has scored a timely century two days after former Australian Test captain Tim Paine announced he would take an indefinite break from cricket.

After the Redbacks won the toss and elected to bat first at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, Carey hammered 101 to help the Redbacks register a commanding first innings score against Queensland. It was his second Marsh Cup century this summer.

His classy 93-ball knock featured 14 boundaries and a powerful six over the mid-wicket fence.

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The 30-year-old combined with South Australian debutant Henry Hunt for a 159-run partnership for the first wicket.

Carey was removed by Queensland powerhouse Marnus Labuschagne in the 30th over, clean bowled by a length delivery that skidded into middle stump.

Earlier, Hunt was dismissed by former Australian paceman Gurinder Sandhu for 61.

King Carey

— Charles Cameron (@CharlesRanger23) November 28, 2021

Alex Carey brings up a century off 90 balls in the #MarshCup match against Queensland.

Great innings ahead of going into the Ashes camp. Looks in good touch.

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) November 28, 2021

Great hundred Alex Carey, very well timed! @WestEndRedbacks

— Jamie Briggs (@BriggsJamie) November 28, 2021

On Friday, it was revealed that Paine would take an indefinite break from cricket following the sexting scandal that derailed Australia’s Ashes preparations.

National selectors are currently deliberating on who should don the gloves for the first Test against England at the Gabba, with Carey and West Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis the leading candidates.

Although Sunday’s century came in a different format, it couldn’t have hurt Carey’s chances of securing a long-awaited Baggy Green next month.

However, Carey’s Sheffield Shield record leaves much to be desired – the South Australian has scored 153 runs during the 2021/22 season at an average of 21.85.

His last three knocks in first-class cricket are 0, 7 and 6.

Alex Carey celebrates bringing up his century with Redbacks captain Travis Head. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Inglis averaged 73.12 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield, scoring three centuries for Western Australia.

“(Inglis) has got silky smooth hands behind the stumps, he’s a 360 degree player with the bat and coming off three first-class hundreds last season for WA,” Warne wrote in the Herald Sun.

“He’s a great team man who I saw first hand at the London Spirit this year. He’s 26. Bang, get him in.”

Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy told SEN this week: “Carey certainly deserves to have a go but, if George Bailey and his selectors say we will go young and for the future, then it is Josh Inglis or Jimmy Pearson.

“But I would say it is Josh Inglis that has absolutely jammed the door open with his foot.”

Carey and Inglis both feature in the Australia A squad that will play a three-day internal match in Queensland next week.

The first Test between Australia and England gets underway at the Gabba on Wednesday, December 8.

Originally published as South Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey scores timely century in Marsh Cup