Australian selectors have made a huge change ahead of their ODI World Cup clash against South Africa, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey being replaced by Josh Inglis.
The 32-year-old took over the gloves from Tim Paine in 2018, but has now lost his spot to West Australian keeper Inglis who will make his ninth one-day appearance.
Carey has endured a tough run with the bat and recorded a duck against India on Sunday night in Australia’s first World Cup game.
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He had also failed to pass 14 runs in ODIs since early September, playing eight games across that period.
Inglis has so far recorded 143 runs in his eight appearances in the 50 over format, averaging 17.87 with a high score of 50.
The 28-year-old also blasted 48 off only 30 balls in a warm-up match against Pakistan in the weeks leading up to the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Carey’s average of 32.98 stacks up with legendary glovemen Adam Gilchrist and Brad Haddin who boast tallies of 35.89 and 31.53 respectively.
Questions have been raised regarding Carey’s mindset following his controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow in the latest Ashes series.
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The Test wicketkeeper was hammered from all angles following the infamous moment, with former captain Tim Paine questioning if the “difficult time” has taken its toll.
“I don’t know if it’s rattled him or if his confidence has dropped off since, but certainly his batting – barring one game in South Africa – he hasn’t looked the same,” he said.
Cricket legend Kerry O’Keeffe echoed Paine’s opinion while Brendon Julian said “that is big”.
“Short of runs lately, I just don’t know whether his head is in the right spot Alex Carey,” Kerry O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.
“Josh Inglis comes in, where does he bat? Number five probably, he is nimble and inventive, South Africa are playing two spinners.
“Therefore he could be a real factor there with the hitters at six and seven… the out of the corner of the mouth whispers is that he hasn’t recovered from that stumping at Lords.
“The booing he got, apparantely he is a sensitive boy, he needs Ted Lasso, you’ve got to be a goldfish with a ten second memory.
“He has paid a price hasn’t he.”
Australia XI
David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
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