Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Australian Test star Alex Carey is set to become ‘a Striker for life’ after signing a four-year deal to remain with the club he’s been a part of since making his KFC BBL debut in 2017.
Carey has played 56 matches for the Adelaide Strikers over the past eight seasons and is currently second-highest all-time runs scorer with 1837 at a strike rate of 129 per 100 balls faced.
The 32-year-old has also scored more BBL centuries than any other Strikers player with his two hundreds to date coming against Hobart Hurricanes in BBL|07 (100 off 56 balls) and Brisbane Heat in BBL|10 (101 off 62 balls).
Both of those innings came in front of the ecstatic Strikers fan base at Adelaide Oval where Carey also played a central role in the team’s maiden BBL title triumph in BBL|07.
“I’m thrilled to sign on for another four years with the Strikers and can’t wait to get out and play in front of family, friends and fans at Adelaide Oval where the atmosphere is the best of any cricket ground in the world,” Carey said.
“I love getting back in the blue shirt every chance I get and look forward to building on the momentum the boys generated towards the end of last season to push for more silverware.”
In addition to his brilliant ball striking, Carey holds the Strikers record for most dismissals with the gloves (59) in between his 32 Tests, 72 One Day Internationals and 38 T20I appearances for Australia.
A member of the triumphant World Test Championship team and the ICC ODI World Cup squad from last year, Carey was also named Player of the Match for his nerveless 98no that carried Australia to a nail-biting Test win against New Zealand in March.
His experience and all-round skills set will be a vital asset to the star-studded Strikers line-up under newly appointed head coach, and Carey’s predecessor as Test wicketkeeper, Tim Paine.
Paine welcomed Carey’s long-term signing which adds firepower and finesse to a top-order batting line-up that also features power hitters Matt Short, Chris Lynn and D’Arcy Short who all lit up Adelaide Oval last summer.
“Alex brings great experience and strong leadership to our group in addition to his 360-degree batting skills and outstanding glovework,” Paine said.
“A favourite among Strikers fans, he is a proven big-game player and a crucial part of our squad which is keen to hit the ground running in BBL|14.”
Adelaide Strikers’ season begins against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on 17 December, before blockbuster Adelaide Oval home games against Melbourne Stars (December 20), Hobart Hurricanes (December 27), Perth Scorchers (New Year’s Eve), Brisbane Heat (January 11) and Sydney Sixers (January 15).
Tickets for BBL|14 are on sale today and can be purchased HERE.
