Alex Carey receives major Australian team honour following Ashes controversy

Alex Carey has been at the centre of one of the biggest Ashes controversies ever, and he’s now been given a huge team honour.

Alex Carey has had quite the few days.

The man at the centre of the controversial Jonny Bairstow dismissal has been given one of the highest honours the Australian team can bestow in the wake of the second Ashes Test.

After seeing Bairstow frequently wander out of his crease early, Carey perfectly executed an underarm throw at the stumps, knocking off the bails.

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The third umpire ruled the dismissal was fair and Bairstow was sent on his way back to the pavilion.

It proved to be the decisive wicket in the match and possibly the series, exposing England’s tail early and forcing Ben Stokes to attempt another superhuman run chase.

Following the victory and the series ending injury to Nathan Lyon, cricket.com.au reports Carey has been given the honour of singing Australia’s team song ‘Under the Southern Cross’ after a win.

Alex Carey’s dismissal got the cricket world fired up. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Lyon badly strained his calf while fielding in the first innings, but bravely came out to bat, putting on a 15-run final wicket partnership with Mitchell Starc, that proved crucial as Ben Stokes nearly pulled off another miracle run chase.

Lyon will return home to Australia to begin rehabbing his injury, which he ironically sustained in his 100th consecutive Test — becoming the first specialist bowler to achieve that feat in Test cricket.

The veteran offspinner was given the honour of leading the team song when former batter Mike Hussey retired in 2013, and Hussey’s choice proved a prescient one given Lyon’s astonishing longevity.

But in his absence, fellow South Australian Carey will be the one to belt out the team song if and when Australia wins a third Test that would secure a historic Ashes series victory away from home.

The tradition was started by Rod Marsh, and previous songmasters include David Boon, Ian Healy, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Hussey and Lyon.

The honour has traditionally been given to a player that represents the heart and soul of the team.

Alex Carey will lead Australia’s team song. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Nathan Lyon will miss the rest of the series. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Not since Australia’s all conquering side led by Steve Waugh in 2001 has Australia won an Ashes series in England.

The Aussies retained the urn with a 2-2 series result in 2019 and haven’t lost an Ashes series since the 2015 instalment in England.

Carey is in career best form behind the stumps, as he showed on Day 5 at Lord’s with two key dismissals.

As Australia peppered Stokes and Ben Duckett with a spell of short-pitched bowling, the wicketkeeper stood down the leg side in anticipation of a Josh Hazlewood bouncer, which Duckett edged through straight to Carey, who leapt to take a superb one-handed catch.

Alex Carey (left) throws the ball before it hit the stumps to run out Jonny Bairstow. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Carey’s dismissal has divided the cricket world, and Australian captain Pat Cummins said his side will rally behind him in the face of inevitable abuse from England fans.

“There’s nothing like loud crowds that bring a team together. He’s one of the guys we’ll get around,” Cummins said.

“But these kind of moments can really strengthen a side. I thought ‘Kez’ (Carey) has had another fantastic game, he’s broken some records … he’s been fantastic behind the wickets.

“We’ll look after him.”

Lyon is likely to be replaced by spinner Todd Murphy, who made his Test debut in India earlier this year.

The third Ashes Test gets underway at Headingley on Thursday at 8pm AEST.