Sacked AFL coach Stuart Dew takes Alex Carey through wicketkeeping training before fifth Ashes Test – but the Aussie team still isn’t saying what his role is

He may have been sacked by the Gold Coast Suns after five and a half seasons as head coach – but Stuart Dew isn’t kicking stones.

AFL identity Dew, 43, is currently in England working with the Australian cricket squad ahead of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

Cricket reporter Bharat Sundaresan posted vision on Twitter of Dew putting wicketkeeper Alex Carey through his paces with a series of drills.

Mystery surrounds Dew’s actual role, but it is understood he has been invited into inner sanctum of Andrew McDonald’s squad due to his long-standing friendship with middle-order batsman Travis Head.

Dew was spotted ahead of the fourth Test in Manchester in full Australian training gear, and the keen cricket fan, clearly seizing his opportunity, later did his own pitch inspection as the Aussies completed a net session at Old Trafford.

Skipper Pat Cummins later clarified why the AFL premiership winner with Port Adelaide in 2004 and Hawthorn in 2008 was in the United Kingdom.

‘It’s good Stuey could get on a holiday over here,’ Cummins said. ‘He knows a few of the boys quite well, so it’s good to have him around.’

Dew is yet to discuss his brutal sacking from the Suns, with the club widely panned for how they handled Dew’s departure.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has dismissed speculation that David Warner and Steve Smith are set to retire from Test cricket at the conclusion of the fifth Ashes Test in London.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said there was a ‘whisper’ the superstar duo will walk away from the traditional form of the game.

Warner, 36, stated last month he is targeting the summer in Australia as his farewell, and hopes to wear his whites for a final time in front of family and friends in Sydney next January in the series against Pakistan.

Smith, 34, recently played his 100th Test match – and has long been Australia’s best player.

While events in Cape Town five years ago under his leadership led to a 12-month suspension and stained his reputation, ‘Smudge’ is irreplaceable in the eyes of many cricket fans.

Some believe he is Australia’s best batsman since Sir Donald Bradman, placing him ahead of the likes of fellow greats Allan Border and Steve Waugh.

The fifth Test at The Oval begins on July 27 from 8pm AEST.