BRENDAN LINES
FORMER state cricket selector and Australian Test batsmen Rick Darling has made a bold prediction about Loxton-born Alex Carey’s prospects at Test level.
Darling, from Waikerie, is the most recent Riverland-born cricket player to wear a baggy green, playing 14 Tests from 1978 to 1979.
Following the recent 11th-hour postponement of the South African two weeks ago.
Carey will have to wait until the tour of the West Indies in June for a potential Test debut.
Darling is resolute in the opinion Carey has what it takes to step into the Test team.
“Well, I can see that Alex is going to be the new Adam Gilchrist,” he said.
Darling said under-fire Test skipper Tim Paine might be challenged for his spot.
“I would be very worried if I was Tim Paine because obviously Alex can fill in that wicketkeeping role,” he said.
“And to have him coming in (batting) at six or seven you can virtually play another all-rounder or another bowler.
“And if he performs there and gets a chance I think he’s going to be there for a long time.”
Carey, 29, has established a distinguished career across 42 one-day international and 30 T20I appearances.
A recent 101 against Brisbane Heat in January was a timely reminder to the Australian selectors of Carey’s influence with the bat.
Darling said in the days he played under captain Ian Chappell selection decisions were made more instinctively.
“Ian Chappell was an advocate of not waiting until a player has made 2000 first-class runs,” he said. “If you are performing at the time, you should get a go.”
“I was lucky because I was performing when I was 20.
“I got a game and a couple of tours after that.”
That ‘time’ for Carey might have already arrived, according to Darling.
“Alex is one of those players in demand who can play all formats and he’s now ready,” he said.
“But I’m sure he’ll take it in his stride and add Test cricket to his repertoire of T20 and one-day cricket.
“He’s in the world of professional cricket now and Test cricket is only part of his game.”
So why has it taken so long to produce another Test player, like Darling, born and bred in the Riverland?
“From what I hear it’s not going all that well up there,” he said.
“In my time as a selector the mandate for SACA was to produce Test cricket players and nothing else.
“And to play Test cricket you have to play for the state and you have to play for one of the clubs, that’s the only pathway.
“I think Alex getting selected might be good for local players who may want to make the commitment and come through club cricket.”