Add Category
Alex Carey has locked down his place in the Test side after two strong home summers and solid showings in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, but the South Australian knows keeping in India will be another matter entirely.
- Alex Carey has revealed his plan to deal with the conditions in India
- Carey has been speaking to former keepers Adam Gilchrist, Ian Healy and Brad Haddin to formulate the best way to attack the Test series
- The first Test will begin in Nagpur on Thursday
With Australia's tour hitting top gear ahead of the first Test in Nagpur on Thursday, Carey has revealed his plans to handle the tricky conditions as Pat Cummins' side look to win on Indian soil for the first time since 2004.
"Expect the ball every ball. Expect it's coming your way and be mentally clear. Be fresh as possible from ball to ball, know it's going to be a tough tour at times and expect the ball every time," Carey said.
"From there, just react.
"Preparations will ramp-up over the next few days but we've been on tours in the last 12 months to Pakistan and Sri Lanka so there's a good taste over there.
"Coming off some Big Bash cricket is a bit different to the longer format but I'm excited to get behind the stumps and see what unfolds."
Carey has also been in contact with legendary former Australian keepers Ian Healy, Adam Gilchrist and Brad Haddin as he attempts to master the tricky Indian conditions.
"I speak to Gilly quite often and Hads, whenever we're around the grounds," Carey said.
"In Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Hads was there and Heals reached out before we went to Pakistan.
"I speak to the keepers really often and Tim Nielsen, who I work with quite closely back home."
The tour marks the beginning of the final frontier for the Australians. After a dominant home summer, they'll look to break the drought in India before heading to England for a World Test Championship final followed by an Ashes series.
With Carey finding great touch against South Africa and the West Indies in recent times, including plundering his first Test century on Boxing Day, maintaining that form will be crucial in the months to come.
The 31-year-old wants Australia to show a combination of patience and resilience against Virat Kohli's side and expects them to rely on the experience they gained in their successful tour of Pakistan last year.
"If there's an opportunity and we're on top of the game we need to drive it in as much as possible and then if we're not it's how do we fight back and get the momentum going our way," Carey said.
"For our batters, if you get in go big in the tough conditions.
"For our bowlers, find a way to absorb some pressure, it might be different plans or different fields at times, just try and wrestle it back.
"I think we've played really well and I think Pakistan was great because it took us 15 days to get a win and we held on and the players were patient."