Ashes 2021-22: Selectors are divided over which wicketkeeper should replace Tim Paine for the first Test against England

Australia’s selectors are divided over who should replace Tim Paine in the first Ashes Test, with a crunch call looming on the wicketkeeping spot.

Sam Landsberger

3 min read

November 27, 2021 - 8:24PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Alex Carey is the favourite to replace Tim Paine as wicketkeeper for the first Ashes Test but it’s not set to be an easy decision for selectors. Picture: Richard Wainwright/AAP Image

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Josh Inglis is firming to be the Ashes selection bolter with his chances of leapfrogging Test understudy Alex Carey as Tim Paine’s successor behind the stumps receiving a significant boost.

It is understood one selector feels the English-born wicket-keeper is ready to rock at the top and wants to back the 26-year-old given his enormous potential at Test level.

But Inglis would need to secure a second vote from the three-man panel to win a Baggy Green at the Gabba on December 8 in what would be a selection shock.

George Bailey (chairman), coach Justin Langer and Tony Dodemaide are the three selectors tasked with appointing Australia’s next gloveman.

They will consult new captain Patrick Cummins and vice-captain Steve Smith, as well as other senior players, before settling on a new No.7.

Mother nature has further clouded the decision with Australia’s informal three-day inter-squad game, due to start on Wednesday, set to be scrapped.

Up to 50mm of rain is expected to fall in Brisbane on Tuesday and Wednesday and last week’s downpour cost the Aussies a training session on Wednesday and Thursday.

But they were able to complete two sessions on Friday and Saturday and centre-wicket practice could be best look selectors get at Inglis and Carey this week.

With plenty of international experience to his name, Alex Carey is the favourite to take over from Tim Paine for the Ashes. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

One of the glovemen will be drafted into Australia’s Ashes squad this week, replacing Paine, with the other set to keep wickets for Australia A against the England Lions in a December 9-12 game in Brisbane.

Externally it has long been presumed that Carey – a former Greater Western Sydney AFL captain – was next in line and almost an automatic pick.

But internally it is shaping as a lineball call that is causing some lively debate.

Significantly, in a recent podcast interview, Bailey gave a broad hint that Carey was still the man at the front of the queue.

Carey, 30, has been the loyal understudy for several years whereas Inglis is the highly-talented new kid on the block, setting the scene for a head versus heart selection decision.

Carey has the backing of wicket-keeping greats Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist, who expect him to wear the gloves against England next month.

Carey captained Australia to an ODI series win in West Indies this year and was selected as Paine’s back-up for a Test tour of South Africa which did not go ahead.

Queensland wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson is highly estimated by many in Australia but is likely to miss out on Test selection. Picture: Darren England/AAP

The loveable South Australian is regarded as the prince charming of Australian cricket, with his impeccable character and values prompting Langer to say Carey could marry one of his daughters.

But Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne are big supporters of Inglis, who was born in Leeds before moving to Australia at 14.

Ponting was furious Perth Scorchers batted the right-hander below their three overseas players in last summer’s Big Bash.

“If I had my Australian selector’s hat on I’d like to see this boy up the top of the order and batting there game after game,” Ponting said.

“I feel he’s someone that can potentially play for Australia in a few different formats and it just feels to me that he’s being starved of a season.”

Teammate Jason Behrendorff said Inglis: “Plays spin so well, he’s got amazing footwork and the areas he can hit the ball into against the spinners in particular is outstanding”.

Carey is averaging 21.8 in the Sheffield Shield this season although Redbacks coach Jason Gillespie said keeping had been first-class.

Josh Inglis is right in the mix to make his Test debut in the Ashes. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Inglis has played just one Shield game, making 28 and 13, before he jetted to the United Arab Emirates as part of Australia’s winning Twenty20 World Cup squad, although he did not play a match due to Matthew Wade’s heroics.

Former selector Mark Waugh rated Carey a $1.50 favourite to play at the Gabba with Inglis $3 and Queenslander Jimmy Peirson $5.

Peirson has the skilful ability to keep up to the stumps to fast bowlers although he was not selected in the Ashes or Australia A squads.

Australia has not unveiled a new wicket-keeper since Peter Nevill replaced Brad Haddin in a 2015 Ashes Test at Lord’s.