BRISBANE, Australia, Dec 1, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Alex Carey looks poised to
replace Tim Paine as Australia's wicketkeeper for the Ashes against England
and is set to make his Test debut, as more bad weather Wednesday wrecked
preparations for both teams.

  Paine quit as Test captain and then last week stepped away from cricket
over a text-message scandal, leaving selectors seeking an alternative ahead
of the December 8 first Test.

  Carey and fellow gloveman Josh Inglis were widely seen as in a showdown for
the role and a decision was expected after a scheduled three-day intra-squad
match featuring both of them in Brisbane.

  But day one was washed out on Wednesday and reports said Inglis had
returned home to Perth.

  The Sydney Morning Herald said the 30-year-old Carey had been "given the
nod", sentiments echoed by broadcaster ABC, which said he was "expected to be
named Australian wicketkeeper".

  Carey has played limited-overs cricket for Australia, but never a Test
match.

  Inglis is set to return to Brisbane after his trip to see family -- but for
an Australia A tour match rather than the first Test at the Gabba ground.

  Persistent rain has badly hampered both teams' preparations for the five-
Test series, with Australia also needing to decide between Usman Khawaja and
Travis Head after incumbent number five Matthew Wade was axed from the squad.

  The warm-up match had been billed as a chance for them to impress
selectors.

  England have also suffered from the weather with a three-day practice match
washed out last week, bar 29 overs.

  No play was possible on the opening day of their final four-day clash on
Tuesday, and the rain again meant only an optional indoor session was
possible on Wednesday.

  Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed, along with spinner Dom Bess, are the only
members of their Ashes party to have any match practice since the tour
started.