KARACHI: Alex Carey has broken Adam Gilchrist’s long-standing record by an Australian wicketkeeper-batter in the fourth Ashes Test against England in Melbourne from December 26 to 30.
Carey has been one of Australia’s most consistent batsmen this year, amassing 743 runs at 53.07 in 15 innings with two centuries and four fifties.
The 34-year-old has been equally impressive in the ongoing Ashes series, scoring 267 runs at a remarkable average of 66.75 in four innings as the second-leading run-scorer, helped by two fifties and a century in the recently concluded Adelaide Test that earned him the Man of the Match award.
Carey now needs 128 runs in the upcoming Ashes Test to surpass Gilchrist’s record for the most runs by an Australian wicketkeeper in a calendar year in Tests.
Gilchrist scored 870 runs in 19 innings in 2001 at an average of 51.17 with three centuries and four fifties and a best score of 152 runs.
Alex Carey’s steady performances with the bat combined with his brilliance behind the wickets were instrumental in Australia taking a 3-0 lead over England in a blockbuster series.
Australia had already made two changes to the squad for the final, with off-spinner Todd Murphy replacing the injured Nathan Lyon and captain Pat Cummins and Jay Richardson being rested “as part of his ongoing management plan”.
Australia Squad for Fourth Ashes Test: Steven Smith (catch), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnes Lapuzagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jay Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherold and P.W.