Ashes 2021-2022: England reveal extent of injuries from gutsy SCG draw

England’s heart-stopping draw in Sydney wasn’t just great theatre, it was also pure guts — but it has come at a cost for Joe Root’s side.

Has there ever been a braver performance by an England cricket team on Australian soil that what just unfolded in Sydney?

Joe Root’s tourists might have given up the Ashes without a fight in Melbourne last month but Sunday’s heart-stopping draw in Sydney wasn’t just great theatre, it was also pure guts.

England didn’t come close to winning the match because they were outgunned from start to finish but their courage in salvaging a draw earned them something more important – the respect of two countries.

“It was hugely important, especially off the back of the previous Test match, which was probably one of the really dark days for English Test cricket,” England captain Joe Root said

“It would have been very easy for us to roll over and feel sorry for ourselves but I asked for the guys to try to put some pride back into the badge and to show how much you care about playing for Englan.

“You certainly can say that that was the case this week, albeit that we didn‘t win the Test.

“We were a very long way behind in the game so to still find a way to get a draw from where we were shows the amount of character and desire and pride the guys feel when they pull on an England shirt.”

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Jos Buttler and England showed plenty of guts to secure a draw at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

No-one who witnessed any of the drama and pressure of the last day will ever know how England’s nervous batters held on to salvage a draw when all seemed lost, especially once they realise just how heroic they really were because several players were in agony.

It was only after the match ended that Root revealed the extent of the injuries some his players had hidden as they battled through the last day with wicketkeeper Jos Buttler the most serious after playing with a fractured left index finger.

“He’s going to have to fly home and won‘t take any further part in the tour. It‘s quite a serious injury,” Root said.

“For him to be out in front of them (Australia’s bowlers) and putting in as he did from that moment he took that knock, it shows how much he cares and it shows how much it means for him to play in this Test team and how much it means to him to play for England.”

Buttler wasn’t the only England player on the casualty list.

Jonny Bairstow – who made a first innings hundred and 42 in the second dig – suffered an impact injury to his right thumb. He will travel with his teammates to Hobart before being assessed as to whether he can play the fifth Test.

Ben Stokes is one of several injured England stars. Picture: Getty Images

Ben Stokes, who made two half-centuries but was unable to bowl in the second innings, has a left side strain. He is also waiting to find out if he can play any further part.

Root said the whole team was inspired by what they did.

“A lot of the guys could see a number of players hurting physically, and still putting in,” he said.

“In many ways it lifted the rest of the group. I am really proud of the way that they stood at times clearly in a lot of pain and to produce for England.

“There was clearly a bit of pain relief required.

“Everyone is slightly different, but it‘s not just the physical element to it, but the psychology of knowing that you are going into a pressure situation not 100 percent and then still be able to perform at the level that some of the guys did.

“It was an honour really and shows a huge amount of character. I‘m very proud of that. This is a step forward for the team definitely.”

Where does strange weakness leave Carey’s Test future?

By Ben Horne

Australia is set to finish the Ashes as it started, with a fierce wicketkeeping debate over Alex Carey and Josh Inglis.

One of the big narratives before the Ashes team was picked has suddenly resurfaced ahead of the March tour of Pakistan where Carey will be under enormous pressure.

Carey dropped his second catch of the Sydney Test to complete a disappointing match where he also failed with the bat, and averages 15 for the series.

On Test debut in Brisbane, Carey was faultless, but since then a strange weakness has crept into his game – where he hesitates in diving to his right.

Carey can feel heartened that some of Australia’s greatest keepers have had tough starts.

Ian Healy had a really challenging debut tour of Pakistan in 1988 when critics were instantly talking about whether he had a Test future, while the great Rod Marsh was nicknamed “Iron Gloves” due to his inauspicious start.

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Alex Carey has struggled since a standout debut. Picture: Getty Images

But Carey is now under the microscope and Inglis will be stalking him on the tour of Pakistan.

Inglis had strong support from the likes of Ricky Ponting leading into the Ashes, and there is a feeling he may prove the superior gloveman, particularly when it comes to standing up to Nathan Lyon on tricky decks in Pakistan.

However, that said, it’s standing up to the stumps to Lyon this Ashes series, where Carey has really looked the part.

His blemishes have come specifically moving to his right to nicks off the pace bowlers – an unusual weakness to have given it’s usually said the marker that sets apart good keepers from great is usually how they react to leg-side chances.

Carey had a moment in both Adelaide and Melbourne where he baulked at diving to his right, with edges sailing between him and David Warner at first slip.

Australia will take two keepers to Pakistan, and Inglis certainly won’t be going as a mere back-up.

One of the greatest wicketkeepers of all time Adam Gilchrist said there’s not a whole lot wrong with Carey’s technical movements, but he has concerns over his confidence levels.

“Big time. I can only speak from personal experience and that would be so hard to be trying to park that right in the back locker in the back of your mind. You have to find a way and I’ve been impressed by his resilience in making sure he remains positive in his body language,” Gilchrist sand on Fox Cricket.

Alex Carey hasn’t made a huge impact with the bat either. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s all part of the learnings of Test cricket and the intensity of Test cricket and the scrutiny. He seamlessly walked into Test match cricket at the Gabba and we all praised how relaxed he looked.

“ … but what you learn very quickly is you have to back it up every day, every session, every hour, every minute.”

Former Test star Mark Waugh said he felt Carey wasn’t standing wide enough to begin with, while Shane Warne said on Fox the South Australian’s movements indicated there was hesitation.

“It’s now starting to be a bit of an issue,” said Warne.

Gilchrist called for calm.

“Don’t be too hard. Don’t be too judgmental,” said Gilchrist.

“I don’t think we need to overanalyse and be over critical.”