WI vs AUS: Alex Carey to lead Australia in 1st ODI, Finch ruled out

Having being mauled in the T20I series, Australia will be looking for redemption in the ODIs. However, the Kangaroos will be without the services of their skipper Aaron Finch, who will miss the first ODI due to injury. Cricket Australia, on Monday, said Finch injured his knee while batting in the fifth T20I and will miss the first ODI against West Indies, adding his fitness will be assessed on day to day basis. In the absence of Finch, Alex Carey will don the skipper’s hat for Australia.

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Alex Carey has previously led Adelaide Strikers, the South Australian Redbacks and Australia A. He has also served as the vice-captain of the Australia team.

“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,” Carey was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

Also read: England vs Pakistan, 3rd T20I, Preview: High-scoring series set for a thrilling decider in Manchester - Sky247 Blog

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“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,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Australia will be hoping for better results in the ODI series after suffering a 4-1 disaster in the T20Is. Australia are without the services of their ODI regulars like David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins and it will be interesting to see if their fringe players step up to the occasion in ODIs.

In the T20Is, apart from Mitchell Marsh, none of the batsmen looked comfortable against West Indies bowlers. With Finch out, the batting looks even more vulnerable. However, West Indies too cannot be taken for granted. They, themselves, have been very inconsistent.

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