Tim Paine could miss the second ODI against England

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Adelaide Strikers wicketkeeper Alex Carey could make his ODI debut in the second match against England in Brisbane as regular keeper Tim Paine is suffering from a gastro bug.

With Paine doubtful for the match, Carey, who opens the batting for the Adelaide Strikers, was called up as a potential replacement.

The 26-year-old has been playing in the Big Bash League (BBL) and put on a show against the Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday as he smashed a 56-ball 100 to lead his side to an 11-run win.

However, should Paine be fit for the match, Carey will be released and free to represent the Strikers in their clash with the Melbourne Renegades on Monday.

“Alex Carey, who will be on standby, just got a beautiful hundred last night,” Australia opener Aaron Finch was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. He’s taken his game to another level.

“He showed a lot of promise in Shield cricket over the last couple of years, and then to come out this year when there was a lot of talk about the Ashes ‘keeping spot, and who was going to play, the way that he put his hand up and has continued to do so for such a young guy is really impressive.”

Paine isn’t the only Australian player suffering from the virus as pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has also been diagnosed with it and ruled out of the second ODI.

“We’ve seen it all through the summer from both sides, there’s been quite a lot of illness, which is strange,” Finch said. “While Josh has gone down, Patty (Cummins) and Steve (Smith) during the Test match, does cause a bit of angst among the group – it causes a bit of separation, guys don’t want to hang around with each other in case they’re spreading it on – but the guys that are there to come in and potentially take their spot if they need are in great form as well.”

Australia will be aiming to level the series at 1-1 after they lost the first ODI in Melbourne due to England opener Jason Roy’s career-best knock of 180.