Alex Carey keen to rub shoulders with Ricky Ponting in Delhi Capitals

Alex Carey, the Australian wicketkeeper, is set for his maiden stint in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 28-year-old is set to ply his trade for the Delhi Capitals, who picked him up at a price of INR 2.40 crore. The southpaw is now eager to interact with veteran Ricky Ponting, the Capitals’ coach even if he doesn’t get a chance in the star-studded playing eleven.

Carey was one of Australia’s star performers in the 2019 World Cup after which he shone for the Adelaide Strikers’ in the Big Bash League. In the BBL, Carey managed 391 runs in 11 matches at an average of 35.54. In the IPL, Carey wishes to chat with Ponting and take his inputs.

“I can’t wait, even if I’m not playing, to just sit alongside him (Ponting) and chat cricket with him. I’ll probably hang out of his pocket for the few months that I’m there,” Carey was quoted as saying prior to Australia’s second ODI against South Africa at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.

Delhi’s a nice spinning wicket, says Alex Carey

The keeper is also looking forward to learning the art of playing spin, going into the cash-rich domestic tournament. “Delhi are really strong at the top with the openers and Rishabh Pant at number four so if there’s an opportunity, it’d be at five or six.

Which is great for me, if I can keep improving my game in the subcontinent. Delhi’s a nice spinning wicket so there will be some work to do when we get over there,” he added.

After the Capitals picked him up, Ponting said that Carey has the potential to win games for the team on his own. Ponting reckons that Carey can be the apt back-up option for Rishabh Pant.

“He’s a good player of spin, and he’s got such a good cricket brain and a sensible head on his shoulders that I feel he’ll be able to get us across the line in a lot of games (next) year,” he added.

In 74 T20 matches, Carey has notched 1,621 runs at an average 31.17 with one century and eight fifties to show for his efforts.