Australian wicket-keeper all but decided ahead of first Ashes Test

After Josh Inglis was released from quarantine to travel back to his home in Western Australia, Carey remains the only wicket-keeper in the squad's Queensland hub ahead of the Ashes, beginning in a week.

Carey would become the 461st Australian men's Test player, and 34th 'keeper, following Tim Paine's indefinite break from cricket.

30-year-old Carey has played 45 ODIs and 38 T20Is for Australia already, with 70 catches and 15 stumpings across the formats.

Carey also averages 36.45 in the longer international white ball format, making a century last year against England, and five fifties, three of which were compiled at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Despite a rough trot to begin his Sheffield Shield campaign, Carey found his touch with a century for South Australia in One Day Cup action, and boasts a strong domestic red ball record going back multiple seasons, averaging over 50 with the bat in both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.

Rain threatens to spoil both Australia and England's Ashes preparation, though Australia's team is close to decided, with Usman Khawaja and Travis Head battling for the No.5 spot.

Inglis is expected to return to Australia's hub to feature in the Australia A side to take on the England Lions from December 9.