Aussie wicketkeeper Alex Carey plays down the hype as he focuses on ‘special’ Adelaide Test
Cricket legends have crowned Alex Carey the world’s best wicketkeeper, yet the modest South Australian faces his toughest Test yet following his father’s recent death.
He’s been described as Australia’s greatest wicketkeeper since the legendary Rod Marsh but South Australian star Alex Carey is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and refusing to buy into any fanfare ahead of his home Test in Adelaide.
“I’m thankful for the comments but I don’t look into that too much at all,’’ the modest Carey said after former Australia Test paceman Len Pascoe labelled him as Australia’s best ‘keeper since Marsh retired 41 years ago after taking 343 catches in 96 Tests.
“We’ve had some pretty amazing wicketkeeper-batters for Australia who are my idols and to have them mentor me in different ways is pretty amazing.
“Any time I can help the team put a good performance on the board is pleasing and the bowlers are creating the opportunities, they are doing an amazing job, so to play a small role has been lots of fun.’’
Former greats labelled Carey as the best wicketkeeper in world cricket following Australia’s crushing eight-wicket triumph against England at the Gabba as the host nation raced to a 2-0 Ashes Series lead before the start of the Third Test, of a five-match series, at Adelaide Oval, starting next Wednesday.
The 34-year-old’s game-changing ability to stand up to the stumps to fast bowlers, including Scott Boland and Michael Neser, won him rave reviews, including from his idol Adam Gilchrist, who presented him with his baggy green (Cap 461) four years ago.
“It’s just great to see him getting the rewards of all the work that he’s put in … it’s a joy to watch,’’ Gilchrist said of Carey’s masterclass behind the stumps.
Another former Australia Test gloveman, Brad Haddin, said he had “not seen a better keeping display or a braver keeping display’’.
Now Carey is preparing for his home Test – his favourite in the world – and admits it will be more emotional than usual following the death of his father, Gordon, three months ago after a long illness.
“It will be (tough),’’ Carey said with a tear in his eye.
“But it will be fantastic playing at Adelaide Oval, it’s an amazing place to play cricket and as a South Australian I love playing there.
“The outfield (is great), the pitch is always amazing, the weather is usually great, there is a full house, a great buzz around the place and your family and friends come along, so it’s a special time of the year.
“Obviously I’m a South Australian boy but I think the big thing is that the players from interstate loving coming to Adelaide as well, which says a fair bit about the event.’’
Carey, who said it was “hard to say’’ whether he was in career-best form behind the stumps – “I really enjoy going to the subcontinent and experiencing those conditions,’’ he said – said Australia would go for the jugular in Adelaide, knowing that “we’re in a good position but know that the series is definitely not over’’.
“We all know the threats England pose, so we’re definitely not taking the foot off the gas,’’ the 45-Test gloveman said.
“They are a very good cricket team and we understand that we were in a position like this a couple of years ago in England and weren’t able to win that series, although we were good enough to retain the Ashes (2-2), so we understand we have to continue to play good cricket.
“We probably haven’t put a full performance together yet, so it’s very exciting that we can find ways to improve.’’
Carey was not critical of under-fire England’s decision to holiday in Noosa before the Adelaide Test.
“It’s a pretty big series, there’s lots of time between games, and for touring parties you have to find time to fill in those little windows,’’ he said.
“We (Australian players) are just really excited to get home, spend some time with the family, freshen up a little bit and then the rest of the squad will fly in on Saturday and start training on Saturday afternoon.’’
Carey, meanwhile, is a Woolworths cricket ambassador and on Wednesday unveiled the Woolworths truck featuring him with his son, Louis.
His appearance marked the one-week countdown for nominations to the Woolworths Cricket Blast First XI initiative, which will see 11 Cricket Blasters from around Australia win a money-can’t-buy experience to the Big Bash League final on January 25.
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