PERTH: Alex Carey said on Saturday he is disappointed to no longer be a vice-captain but understands why the decision was made to streamline the leadership of Australia’s white-ball cricket teams.

Skipper Aaron Finch will now only have Pat Cummins as his deputy in the One-day International and Twenty20 teams, after a review found joint vice-captains were no longer needed.

Carey, 28, and Cummins, 27, had recently shared that title, including through last year’s World Cup in England, but Finch has favoured a more traditional set-up.

Ahead of Australia’s departure from Perth on Sunday for a series of white-ball matches against England, Carey said he was comfortable with the decision Cricket Australia had made.

“You are always going to be a little bit disappointed with that but I am also really grateful and thankful for the opportunity I have had in the past 24 months in that role,” he told reporters.

“I would love to still have the title next to my name but it doesn’t change anything from my end.

“I am still going to rock up, hopefully, with a big smile on my face and try really hard around the group.

“It’s going back to the old model which has worked in the past and Pat Cummins is a fantastic leader. Obviously, Aaron Finch is as well. I have had lots of clarity and the decision sits really comfortable with me.”

Carey, the wicket-keeper/batsman, said the setback would not impact any long-term captaincy ambitions he may have although Finch has declared he wants to retain the top job through the 2023 50-over World Cup.

“Not at all. I just want to play cricket for Australia. If there is a title next to my name, there is, if there isn’t, that’s fine as well,” he said.

Carey, averaging a healthy 34 in the middle order in 36 One-day Internationals, remains a central figure in Australia’s white-ball plans, whether that be to rebound from last year’s 50 overs World Cup semi-final exit, or to seize a breakthrough Twenty20 World Cup.

The Australians will head to bio-secure facilities in Derby initially in England before remaining in hub life for a series of three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-day Internationals.

Carey will then head to the United Arab Emirates for the rescheduled Indian Premier League, where he was drafted by the Delhi Capitals for $470,000 under coach Ricky Ponting.

“It’s a great opportunity to play against the best in the world in different conditions,” Carey said.

Just how the home summer will unfold remains unclear because of the restrictions brought about by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. One plan may see an extended Australian Test squad travel for the entire four Tests against India. This could see Carey travel as a back-up for Tim Paine, although Matthew Wade, now playing as specialist batsman, could take the gloves if required.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2020