There’s room for both me and Inglis in future: Carey

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There’s room for both me and Inglis in future: Carey

Alex Carey is hopeful both he and Josh Inglis can co-exist in future Test teams as Australia braces for a selection squeeze after the Sri Lanka series.

Carey has been Australia’s wicketkeeper since the summer of 2021/22, with back-up gloveman Inglis having had to wait for a Test debut as a specialist batter in the two-match series in Galle.

Inglis made 102 in his first Test knock in the series opener, announcing himself as a selection option for the World Test Championship Final in June and beyond.

“Josh is a great mate of mine, so to get see him score a Test hundred was just amazing,” Carey said.

But things mightn’t be as easy as just keeping Inglis in the team, with Sam Konstas pushing for a recall at the top of the order after Travis Head was shifted up from No.5 for Sri Lanka.

Allrounder Cameron Green should also be fit to bat by the time of the WTC final against South Africa, while Nathan McSweeney is pushing for a first Test in his preferred middle-order spot.

Things would become even cloudier if Cooper Connolly hit a big score on Test debut this week.

One option might have been to play Inglis as wicketkeeper in Carey’s place if he showed better form with the bat.

But Carey made a blistering and unbeaten 139 on day two of the second Sri Lanka Test in Galle on Friday – a new Test high-score for the incumbent keeper.

“I stuck to a plan and process and kept it pretty simple,” Carey said as Australia went to stumps at 3-330, 73 runs ahead of the hosts.

Australia will have the WTC final and a three-match series against West Indies to refine their XI for the home Ashes.

Inglis was picked in Sri Lanka largely for his expertise against spin but Carey was hopeful there would be space for both himself and his mate going forward.

Australia previously employed a wicketkeeper as a specialist batter with Matthew Wade playing in the middle order during Tim Paine’s Test captaincy.

Carey and Inglis have played in tandem in one day internationals as recently as the spring tour of the ***.

“He’s playing really well. He’s a great batsman,” Carey said.

“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 co-exist.

“We both know our roles in the team and trying to play them both as best we can.”

Australia’s preference is for Carey to remain wicketkeeper, with the 33-year-old taking his tidy form from the home summer into the Sri Lanka series.

Carey’s three stumpings in the first Test were the most by any *********** keeper in a match in Sri Lanka.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s his job,” said stand-in captain Steve Smith ahead of the second Test.

“From my point of view, I think he’s keeping as well as I’ve ever seen him keep.

“He’s batting beautifully too.”

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