Australia v Sri Lanka Test 2 Day 3: Live scores, updates from Galle

While Australia has always resisted picking two wicketkeepers, incumbent Test gloveman Alex Carey has backed his rival, Josh Inglis to keep his spot as a specialist batsman long-term.

Daniel ChernyIn Galle

@danielcherny

2 min read

February 8, 2025 - 8:05AM

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Alex Carey insists he and Josh Inglis can coexist long-term in the Australian Test XI after the incumbent gloveman followed the lead of his understudy by posting a punchy century at No. 5 against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Carey, 33, combined with Steve Smith in an unbeaten 239-run fourth wicket stand to leave the Aussies in a commanding position at stumps on day two of the second Test, leading by 73 runs with seven first innings wickets still in hand.

The South Australian was elevated to bat at third drop after Inglis was forced to slide down the order because he’d spent too much time off the field with back stiffness during Sri Lanka’s innings.

The left-hander was more than up to the task, reaching 139 not out from 156 balls.

Batting at No. 6, Carey had been in the middle when Inglis posted a century on debut in the first Test last week.

Alex Carey celebrates his century on day 2. Picture: Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP

The pair have been rivals for the gloves, with Inglis - who turns 30 next month - replacing Carey during the 2023 World Cup. Carey has held Inglis at bay for wicketkeeping duties in the Test team. But while a squeeze is looming for the World Test Championship final given the impending return of Cameron Green and Travis Head’s likely move back to the middle order, Carey said there was room for both the wicketkeepers in the side.

“I think we’re both really clear in our role in this team,” Carey said.

“And for Josh to come in as a batsman and score runs is what we wanted to do, and to do it in a manner, to put us in a really strong position, was pleasing to see.

“We are really close as a team. Josh is a great mate of mine, so to get see him score a Test hundred was, and his parents were here, was just amazing.

“He’s playing really well. He’s a great batsman. I feel like if I can continue to improve as well and play as long as possible, and we’ve done it in white ball cricket as well, I think we can certainly coexist. But like I said, we both know our roles in the team and trying to play them both as best we can.”

As much as Carey’s batting will take the headlines, his excellent glovework thus far in the series is what has satisfied him the most.

“Keeping for sure,” Carey said.

“That’s my job in the side is to, first and foremost, do it behind the stumps. And I thought the first innings was pretty solid again.”

While Carey and Smith had all the answers against a rudderless Sri Lankan attack, Carey said he expected the pitch to deteriorate.

Alex Carey’s excellent glovework thus far in the series is what has satisfied him the most. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I think it will start to fall apart. Bit more traffic on it. There’s, there are big foot marks, and I thought our bowlers in that first innings were able to control the run rate through the middle session (on day one),” Carey said.

“I thought they played pretty well first up when there wasn’t a lot there, but then we got our fields right, and we’re able to take four or five wickets in that middle session and keep the run rate sort of in control. So full credit to our bowlers on a wicket that there was a little bit there and were able to put in the right areas and start to create chances.”