(Cricket news) Earlier this month Australian skipper Tim Paine officially resigned from his position after a 'Sexting' scandal in 2017. Paine in a statement announced that while his actions did not breach the code of conduct they do not match the standard required to lead the Australian side.
At the time the keeper said that he would be available for selection but it has now been announced that Paine has taken an indefinite break from all forms of cricket. Although there hasn't been any announcement about his absence from the Ashes it is safe to assume that Paine will not be involved in the Tests which start on 8th December. The Australian squad didn't have any other gloveman but will now look to add one or maybe even two in their squad.
Here are the four candidates to replace Tim Paine:
4) Matthew Wade:
Wade is the experienced option and someone who has played a lot of Test cricket very recently. Wade played all 4 Tests against India which was the last Test series the Aussies played. In 36 Tests Wade averages almost 30 with the willow. He had a good T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi which might give him an edge. The only problem with him is that he is 33 and will only provide a short term solution. Wade has expressed his intentions of hanging up his boots after the next T20 World Cup which is why Justin Langer may choose to go with the younger options.
3) Alex Carey:
Carey is Australia's regular wicket keeper in the ODIs. Although he has been playing International cricket since 2018 he hasn't got the baggy green cap despite good domestic performances mainly because of Tim Paine's captaincy role. Carrey scored 153 runs in 8 Sheffield innings in the last Sheffield Shield tournament with the highest score of 66*.
2) Josh Phillipe:
Josh Phillipe is a T20 sensation already at a mere age of 28. He is the 4th highest run scorer in the 2021/22 Sheffield Shield scoring 434 runs including 1 century and 3 half centuries. It might be too soon for him to don the Aussie whites especially in a series like the Ashes but it wouldn't be a bad call if he is called up as a backup for any of the other 3.
1) Josh Inglis:
Inglis has been on the radar to make his Test debut for quite a while now. He has the most potential from the choices but may not be an instant success. He has scored a plethora of runs in the Sheffield Shield as well as in County cricket. If Australia do pick two players to replace Paine he will definitely be in the squad.
