‘You deserve this’: Mic’d up Adam Gilchrist gives Australia chills

Alex Carey’s baggy green presentation was broadcast with a mic’d up Adam Gilchrist, sending chills down the spines of Aussie cricket fans.

Alex Carey receives his cap from Adam Gilchrist.

The baggy green is one of the most prestigious items that can be awarded in Australian sport — and the rare presentation of one is always a special moment.

Australia has long followed the tradition of having a past Test great present the baggy green to a debutant on the morning before a match.

Wednesday was no different as Australia legend Adam Gilchrist presented a cap to Alex Carey, who will wear the gloves against England at the Gabba, becoming Test player 461.

Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

What was different, however, was that the exchange was broadcast with a mic’d up Gilchrist sending chills down the spines of Australian cricket fans across the nation.

After being introduced by coach Justin Langer, Gilchrist gave a passionate speech about what a privilege it is to award the baggy green as a past player.

Speaking to Carey, he added: “Mate, you deserve this. Rest assured that you deserve this, there is absolutely no way this is given out lightly.

“It’s been a courageous journey, you walked away from one journey (playing AFL) and courageously resumed another dream and here you are fulfilling that dream today. Absolutely brilliant.

That baggy green presentation from Adam Gilchrist to Alex Carey was phenomenal ahead of the #ashes opener

Australian Test cricketer 461, 34th wicket-keeper.

Well done @FoxCricket. Amazing access.

— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) December 7, 2021

Marvellously inspiring speech by Adam Gilchrist presenting Australia's 461st test cricket cap to the very deserving Alex Carey.#ashes#Goosebumps

— Dave Donovan (@davrosz) December 7, 2021

Alex Carey gets his Debut Test Cap from the great Adam Gilchrist, as he becomes the 461st Player and 34th Wicket keeper for Australia.
Go well Carey#AUSvENG#Ashes2021pic.twitter.com/vla637qcps

— 💙AK #MI 💙 (@ak_sr10) December 7, 2021

“The prime thing about this cap is that there’s a lot of value placed on this, but not for a moment is there a sense of entitlement that comes with it.

“It doesn’t make you any more special than anyone else in society. But what I will say is that if you play with humility, if you play with integrity, honesty and complete commitment to this group of people here – and I know that you will – and a sense of fun, the people in society will ride with you through the highs and, probably more important, when the lows and challenges come they will carry you.”

Originally published as ‘You deserve this’: Mic’d up Adam Gilchrist gives Australia chills