Alex Carey is Australia’s new Test wicket-keeper

South Australia’s Alex Carey has been named as Australia’s new Test wicket-keeper, replacing ex-skipper and gloveman Tim Paine.

Alex Carey is Australia’s new Test wicket-keeper. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Alex Carey was “speechless” when told he was Australia’s new Test wicket-keeper, but don’t expect him to remain quiet behind the stumps during the Ashes series.

Carey was on Thursday confirmed as Australia’s keeper for the first two Ashes Tests of the summer.

As expected, Carey he was called into Australia’s 15-man squad as the replacement for ex-Test skipper Tim Paine.

“I am incredibly humbled by this opportunity,” said 30-year-old South Australian Carey, who was preferred to Josh Inglis as the man to replace Paine with the gloves.

Carey struggled to remember the words chairman of selectors George Bailey used when telling him earlier this week he would made his Test debut in the first Test starting at the Gabba on Wednesday.

“I was pretty speechless and smiling from ear to ear,” Carey said.

“I’ve got an incredibly close family, so mum and dad, to hear that news, were in tears straight away.

“I’ve got a really supportive wife, Eloise, who again was in tears.

“I’m really fortunate with the support I’ve got around me with my little close family and friends.”

Bailey said: “Alex has been a regular member of the national side in white ball cricket, particularly in the one-day game.

“He is an excellent cricketer and a fine individual who will bring many great strengths into the team. He will be a very deserved holder of baggy green cap number 461.”

It’s that experience that he already has at international level that will ensure Carey won’t be afraid to speak his mind or offer advice to Australia’s new Test skipper Pat Cummins and vice-captain Steve Smith.

Alex Carey has been confirmed as Tim Paine’s replacement with the gloves. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Wicket-keepers do get the stigma of being the drummer in the band, but for me playing a number of games for Australia now in the shorter formats, as vice-captain on the recent tour of the West Indies, I see it as another opportunity to learn in that role,” Carey said.

“I’ll also offer what I can. Playing alongside a lot of these players in the past ... I’ll feel comfortable enough to say what I see.

“Pat Cummins is now the captain, which is so exciting for Australia ,,, and with Steve Smith alongside him, the group’s in really good hands.

“There are lots of senior players and whatever advice I can give those players, I’ll definitely do that.”

“I will be doing my absolute best to make them and our country proud.”

Carey also threw his support behind the beleaguered Paine who is taking an indefinite break from cricket following the sexting scandal that cost him the Test captaincy.

“My first thoughts are with Tim and his family. Hopefully we’ll see him back really soon,” Carey said.

Australia’s squad: Pat Cummins (NSW) (c), Alex Carey (SA), Cameron Green (WA), Marcus Harris (VIC), Josh Hazlewood (NSW), Travis Head (SA), Usman Khawaja (QLD), Marnus Labuschagne (QLD), Nathan Lyon (NSW), Michael Neser (QLD), Jhye Richardson (WA), Steve Smith (NSW) (vc), Mitchell Starc (NSW), Mitchell Swepson (QLD), David Warner (NSW.