Alex Carey definitely good enough to play in Ashes as specialist batsman, reckons Steve Waugh

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Australian legends Steve Waugh and Shane Warne have come forward and batted for the inclusion of Alex Carey in the Ashes squad as a specialist batsman. The selection talk comes on the back of the wicket-keeper's outstanding World Cup for the Kangaroos, amassing 375 runs at an average of 62.50.

Highly touted as Tim Paine's long-term successor behind the stumps in red ball cricket, Alex Carey has pushed a serious case for his inclusion in the upcoming Ashes series, thanks to his impeccable performances in the World Cup. Carey ended the campaign as Australia's fourth highest run-getter behind David Warner, Aaron Finch and Steve Smith, and now former greats are urging the Aussies to include the southpaw as a specialist batsman for the upcoming Ashes.

"You definitely could (pick him as a specialist batsman). I think he's definitely in the frame to be picked purely as a batsman. I'm not a selector, but he's definitely good enough," said Australian legend Steve Waugh, speaking to the BBC. 

Thanks to his ice-cool performances under pressure and his ability to finish off matches, Carey has often drawn comparison to former greats Mike Hussey and Michael Bevan, and Steve Waugh praised the wicket-keeper for his control and composure while adding that he reminded him of Hussey. 

"He reminds so much of Michael Hussey," he continued. "It looks like he's got every facet of his game under control," Waugh said.  

Legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne was another expert who made a case for Carey's inclusion in the Ashes. "The way he's played through this tournament he might be a chance to play as a batsman in the Ashes," said Warne, speaking to the official broadcaster. 

While Carey is primarily a wicket-keeper batsman, a role for him in the Ashes behind the stumps looks unlikely with skipper Paine set to lead the Aussies over the course of the series. However, with spots in the middle order there for the taking, Carey has well and truly pushed his case for selection as a specialist batsman, and it might not be beyond the Aussies to take the pivotal call to include him in the final squad. 

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