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NSW in the way of Carey's Ashes dream

South Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey is set to make a late push to claim the spot behind the stumps for Australia.

Adelaide Strikers wicketkeeper Alex Carey
SA wicket keeper Alex Carey is pushing to claim a spot behind the stumps for Australia. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Wicketkeeper Alex Carey will get his chance to make a play for an Ashes call-up when South Australia takes on a star-studded NSW side in their Sheffield Shield match starting on Friday.

With doubts still lingering about the glovework of Australian incumbent Matthew Wade - and the batting of both he and Blues contender Peter Nevill - Carey can demonstrate his bona fides on two fronts.

With bat in hand he'll likely get no better test than facing two of the country's best quicks, the Blues's Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.

The 26-year-old may be yet to score a century from his 18 first-class matches but said he holds no fear heading into the Adelaide Oval opener to be played with a pink ball under lights.

"I've faced Starc in the JLT Cup game (last week) so that was a good game for us, and obviously Cummins last year," Carey said.

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"We've played these players before and there's no intimidation factor about it."

Carey opened the batting for the Redbacks in the domestic one day series this month and said he's confident with his form.

He scored a breezy 60 when his side beat the Blues earlier this month and backed it up with a 92 against Victoria.

But he knows runs in the longer format of the game will count most.

"All the batters and the wicketkeepers around are key batters in their sides, and I want to push my case and make runs," he said.

Test skipper Steve Smith will get the best view of Carey's batting from second slip, while Nevill also gets his chance to impress behind the stumps and with the bat.

"There's spots up for grabs," Carey said.

"It's just going to be a good opportunity.

"If we do well and our players put their name forward against this quality of a side then it really puts us in a good direction for more Australian representatives."


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