Gloves are off for Carey IPL role

AUSTRALIA’S Test wicketkeeper-in-waiting Alex Carey is bracing to give up the gloves next month.

Signed by Ricky Ponting’s Delhi Capitals for nearly $500,000, Carey is resigned to fighting for a spot as a specialist batsman with Indian superstar Rishabh Pant set to get first crack with the gloves.

Carey jokes his “shoulder’s not that strong” and that he gets bored out in the field. But he’s not complaining. The ODI keeper and vicecaptain believes the benefits of playing his first-ever IPL under the tutelage of mastermind Ponting will boost his career, regardless of whether he’s fielding in the outfield.

“I gave him a big hug when I saw him after the auction,” Carey said.

“I loved working with Punter [at last year’s World Cup]. He was fantastic. He’s really calm, he’s really clear with his messaging and it’ll be a new experience for me at the IPL. This will be my first crack at it this year.

“That role I’ve been playing for the [Adelaide] Strikers and now for Australia — that middle to back end. I come in normally when the spinners are on in the middle, so I don’t think much will change there.

“Delhi are really strong at the top with the openers and Rishabh Pant at No.4, so if there’s an opportunity it’d be at No.5 or 6 which is great for me.

“If I can keep improving my game in the subcontinent, I can’t wait to train against the spinners over there and chat to Ricky.”

Australia will take on South Africa tonight in Bloemfontein, desperate to break a recent hoodoo against the Proteas in 50-over cricket.

Whitewashed by the South Africans last summer and then knocked off by them in the final game of the World Cup — a result which may have ultimately cost Australia the tournament — it was another bad day out on Saturday night when the depleted Proteas dusted them up in the opening ODI. Australia is desperate to keep the three-match series alive, but are just as determined to stop the hold South Africa has had over them.

“I haven’t beaten them in a series. It’d be nice for us to respond and I think we will,” Carey said.