Xtra Time Web Desk: Cricket Australia has named Alex Carey as the captain for Australia for the first One-Day International against the West Indies at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Carey will be the 26th ODI captain for his country. He was named the captain after Aaron Finch was ruled out for sustaining a knee injury while batting in the fifth T20 International in St Lucia last Friday. His fitness for the one-day international series will be assessed on a day to day basis.
Carey and Pat Cummins were joint vice-captains of the white ball sides for three years until the fast bowler assumed the role as a standalone last August. With Cummins not on this tour Carey was to be vice-captain of the one-day squad after Matthew Wade assumed the role in the T20 Series.
Reacting to his appointment as captain for Australia, Carey said: “I am deeply honoured to be able to lead the team while Aaron recovers. To captain Australia is one of the greatest privileges in sport and an honour I am extremely thankful to receive.
“Finchy is our captain and we will welcome him back with open arms when he is fully fit, so for now I hope I can fill the role to his extremely high standards.
“To lead this group against the West Indies in the West Indies is a great challenge and one I very much look forward to for as long as I have the opportunity.”
Carey has captained the Adelaide Strikers, the South Australian Redbacks and Australia A in the past. Australia will name Carey’s vice-captain and its final team at the coin toss.