Alex Carey keen to 'co-exist' with Josh Inglis in Australian Test line-up beyond Sri Lanka series

As the Australian team faces selection pressure following the series in Sri Lanka, wicketkeeper Alex Carey has expressed his hope that both he and Josh Inglis can feature in the national Test side in the future. Carey has been Australia's first-choice wicketkeeper since the Ashes series in 2021/22, while reserve keeper Inglis has had to wait for his Test debut.

Inglis, a specialist batter, put himself in contention for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June and beyond by scoring 102 in his first Test innings in the first Test of the Sri Lanka series in Galle. Carey's batting performance was also impressive, ending the second day of the second Test in Galle with a career-best unbeaten 139.

Adding to the potential selection dilemma, opening batter Samconstas and all-rounder Cameron Green will be vying for a return to the Australian side ahead of the World Test Championship final. Inglis was primarily selected for the Sri Lanka series due to his proficiency against spin bowling, but Carey hopes that both he and his teammate can find a place in the team in the future.

Australia has previously employed a wicketkeeper as a specialist batter, with Matthew Wade playing in the middle order during Tim Paine's tenure as Test captain. Carey and Inglis last played together in a One-Day International during the spring tour of the UK. "He (Inglis) is hitting them really well. He's a great batter," Carey said. "I feel like if I can keep improving and keep getting better for as long as possible, and we've done it in white-ball cricket as well, I think we can definitely co-exist."

The preference within Australia is for Carey to continue as the wicketkeeper. Carey's three dismissals in the first Test were the most by an Australian wicketkeeper in Sri Lanka. Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith said before the second Test: "From my point of view, I think his 'keeping has been as good as I've seen him. He's batting beautifully as well." Australia will resume play on day three of the second Test at 3-330, leading Sri Lanka's first innings total by 73 runs. Smith is unbeaten on 120.