Former wicketkeeper-batsman Ian Healy has backed Australia’s Alex Carey to improve through the 2019 World Cup campaign.

Carey was preferrred to fellow wicketkeepers Matthew Wade, Tim Paine and others for Australia’s 15-man squad in the United Kingdom.

He struck 30 and 18 not out in warm-up matches against England and Sri Lanka, respectively, and was tidy behind the stumps.

‘He rarely plays in a team that is not successful, which is a great sign. We have expected too much of his batting. It has been under pressure, but he has still done enough for me with the bat, and we are going to see further improvements. He is going to be good,’ said Healy, who made 14 World Cup appearances in 1992 and 1996.

Carey, meanwhile, has signed a contract to play for Sussex in the T20 Blast after the World Cup. His World Cup debut will come on Tuesday, when Australia play Afghanistan in Bristol on Saturday.

‘I’m very excited to get the opportunity to play with Sussex. I played for East Grinstead in the Sussex Premier League a few years ago and now to play for the Sharks in the Blast is super exciting,’ added Carey.

‘I’ve heard the fans are the best in the country and I can’t wait to join Dizzy and the guys in July.’

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