Redbacks pub probe: Aussie star Alex Carey was not among 10 South Australian players evicted from bar
The Redbacks pub probe has taken an interesting twist, as cleanskin Alex Carey was cleared of any involvement in the team members being evicted from an Adelaide bar.
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Alex Carey’s chances of winning an Australian Test promotion remain untarnished after he was a confirmed non-starter on the night out which has landed his Redbacks teammates in hot water.
Ten players from the South Australian cricket team were evicted from Adelaide bar Cry Baby at about 12.30am on Tuesday, after police were called to an alleged disturbance.
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No arrests were made or fines distributed, but the fact players were rowdy enough to prompt police to be called was a poor look for the Redbacks, who have confirmed they’re investigating.
Players were out letting their hair down after a tensely fought Sheffield Shield draw against Queensland.
However, News Corp can confirm Carey was not in attendance, protecting his status in Australian cricket as a clean-cut leader who could come into the frame as a future Test captain.
Carey has skippered Australia’s limited overs teams in the past and is a regular vice-captain in national teams, and the 30-year-old is the frontrunner to take over from Tim Paine as Test wicketkeeper after this Ashes summer, at which point selectors will also be looking for a new man to lead the team.
It’s understood in-form Australian Test hopeful Travis Head was in attendance but he and other team leaders have told South Australian bosses that while there was a bit of hijinks among the group, there was nothing anti-social or aggressive about their interactions with the public.
Allegations have been made by witnesses that some of the players at the bar became aggressive towards staff when they were asked to stop dancing, which is against the South Australian Government’s strict COVID rules.
However, cricket authorities and sources at the Cry Baby bar – who declined to go on the record – have refuted those allegations of aggressive or abusive behaviour and corroborated the players’ version of events.
South Australian Cricket Association chiefs called the bar as part of their investigation and were told by the bar management there was no complaints from staff about how they were treated by players and that it wasn’t the pub who notified police.
However, SACA is taking the matter seriously and is still investigating, with disappointment across the game at the rowdy behaviour and police attention.
“SACA is investigating an allegation that several Redbacks players were asked to leave a city venue following concerns about their behaviour and adherence to COVID-19 dancing regulations,” said a SACA statement.
“While SACA has not received a formal complaint from any party, it has commenced its own internal investigation into the matter, including the details and circumstances surrounding the allegations.
“As an organisation, SACA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour both on and off the field and expects all its personnel to adhere to current COVID-19 restrictions in the interest of community safety.”
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