Alex Carey commits BBL future to Adelaide Strikers
The 32-year-old South Australian star has put pen to paper on a major new deal.
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Star South Australian cricketer Alex Carey is expected to be a Striker for life after signing a four-year contract extension with the Adelaide-based team.
The 32-year-old’s new deal will take him through to the end of BBL17.
The Australian Test wicketkeeper-batter has been one of the Adelaide Strikers’ star attractions since debuting for them in BBL07 in 2017.
The dashing left-hander has played 56 matches for the Strikers over the past seven seasons, mostly as an opening batter, and is their equal second-highest run scorer (along with Matt Short), with 1837 at an average of 34.66 and strike rate of 128.91.
Only Jake Weatherald (2101) has scored more runs for the team.
Carey’s two hundreds (against the Hurricanes in BBL07 and Heat in BBL10) are the most by a Striker, while he has scored 11 half-centuries.
“I’m thrilled to sign on for another four years with the Strikers and can’t wait to get out and play again in front of family, friends and fans at Adelaide Oval, where the atmosphere is the best of any cricket ground in the world,’’ said Carey, who was a member of the Strikers’ only BBL championship team in BBL07.
“I love getting back in the blue shirt every chance I get and look forward to building on the momentum the boys generated towards the end of last season to push for more silverware.’’
In addition to his superb ball striking, Carey holds the Strikers record for most dismissals with the gloves (59) in between his 32 Tests, 72 One-Day Internationals and 38 Twenty20 appearances for Australia.
A member of the triumphant World Test Championship team and the ICC ODI World Cup squad from last year, Carey was also named player of the match for his unbeaten 98 that carried Australia to a nailbiting Test win against New Zealand in March.
His signing is a major coup for Adelaide, which last week appointed former Australia Test captain Tim Paine as coach, replacing the previously departed Jason Gillespie.
Paine said Carey’s signature added batting firepower and finesse to a top-order line-up that includes captain and dual player of the tournament winner Short, master blaster Chris Lynn and D’Arcy Short.
“Alex brings great experience and strong leadership to our group, in addition to his 360-degree batting skills and outstanding glovework,’’ Paine said.
“A favourite among Strikers fans, he is a proven big-game player and a crucial part of our squad which is keen to hit the ground running in BBL14.’’
The Strikers begin their BBL14 campaign on the road against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on December 17 before playing their opening home match at Adelaide Oval against Melbourne Stars on December 20.
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Originally published as Alex Carey commits BBL future to Adelaide Strikers
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