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Alex Carey has revealed he'd put being a reserve for the Test squad ahead of playing Twenty20s, as selectors work out how to split Australia's cricketers.

Alex Carey says he'd rather run drinks on the Test tour in South Africa than play Twenty20s in New Zealand as selectors grapple with splitting Australia's best cricketers.

The COVID-19 situation means Australia are set to take a cover-all-bases squad to South Africa for the March series, given the difficulties associated with flying players in late.

But Australia also have a concurrent five-match T20 series in New Zealand, with one eye firmly on this year's World Cup.

Several of Australia's Test reserves from this summer are part of the T20 team, including Sean Abbott, Moises Henriques and Mitchell Swepson.

Carey was not part of the summer Test squad, but is seen as a long-term successor to Tim Paine and could conceivably find himself in the extended group.

He was also recently squeezed out of Australia's T20 middle order, but would almost be a certain starter in New Zealand given the absence of Test players.

However he says if given the choice, he would choose pursuing Test cricket through that tour over playing the five T20s.

"My ultimate goal is to represent Australia at the highest level and I think that's Test cricket," Carey said.

"So if I was to go on a tour and warm the bench, then, then so be it.

"If I'm selected to play in any Australian team it's a great opportunity, and really honoured to do that in any format.

"But I think, as I mentioned, I think Test cricket is the pinnacle."

Carey also faces a similar red-or-white-ball decision in coming months, after being dropped by Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils.

He is unsure whether he will make himself available for auction or pursue a chance in County Cricket in England.

There is also the chance that a delayed Sheffield Shield season could clash with the IPL, given Australia's domestic cricket this summer is set to continue into April.

Beyond that though, Carey does know he wants to play in this year's T20 World Cup in India.

His 60-ball century for the Adelaide Strikers on Thursday night will no doubt have helped his cause, but he knows he must also prove he can score runs in the middle.

"If I'm selected in the T20 team (for New Zealand) ... I could try to push my case again to to hopefully improve and earn my way back for the World Cup," Carey said.

"I understand the reason why I was left out of that team, I didn't score as many runs as I would have liked in the middle order," he said.

"(Matthew) Wade came in and did a great job so I don't take it too personally.

"I take it in the fact that I want to keep improving and getting better in any my way back into that team."