Wicketkeeping great Ian Healy says Alex Carey is a better player than he was at the same stage of his own international career.
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Ex-Australian gloveman Healy has heaped praise on Carey, tipping him to replace Test 'keeper Tim Paine in two years and help spark the maligned national cricket team.
Carey's meteoric rise continues when he features as Australian vice-captain in Saturday's one-off Twenty20 international against South Africa on the Gold Coast - nine months after making his green and gold debut.
And Healy reckons Carey's ascension won't be slowing down any time soon, rating the 27-year-old a more superior 'keeper than himself at the same stage of their green and gold careers.
Healy earned a baggy green in 1988 after just six first class games for Queensland but went on to become one of the all-time great gloveman, playing 119 Tests in an 11-year international career.
"Alex Carey hasn't got as much learning as me to do (at same stage of career)," Healy said.
"He's a really good performer, and most teams he's been part of have had success - that's the type we want in there.
"He's just working his way up into the one-dayers now, and he might take Tim Paine's (Test) job in two or three years."
National one-day and T20 deputy Carey has been a bright light in the gloom hanging over the Australian cricket team in the wake of a scathing review and the infamous ball tampering controversy.
He has not looked back since earning his ODI debut in January and his first T20 international a month later.
Carey was at it again in Australia's recent 2-1 ODI series loss to the Proteas, digging deep after the top order crumbled to make 122 runs at 40.66.
Healy said it was the spirit that was required if Australia were to finally gain the confidence to win without banned stars Steve Smith and David Warner.
Captain Smith and his deputy Warner copped 12 month bans and opener Cameron Bancroft a nine month suspension over the sandpaper debacle in South Africa.
Bancroft is expected to slot straight into Big Bash League action for Perth when his ban expires on December 29 while Smith and Warner's exile ends in March.
"That's important to get confidence (winning) without Smith and Warner," Healy said.
"When you get that confidence their talent will come out and it will turn into performance - that is the stage we are at right now."
Australian Associated Press
