BBL10: Alex Carey scores first century of Big Bash season after Indian Premier League axing

Dumped by Ricky Ponting’s Delhi Capitals, Alex Carey responded with a masterful Big Bash century to enhance his national claims.

Alex Carey raises his bat after bringing up his century. Picture: Getty Images

Alex Carey served up a stunning riposte to Ricky Ponting’s Delhi Capitals and national selectors with a matchwinning ton that kept Adelaide’s BBL finals ambition on track at Brisbane’s expense.

Skittled for 68 in its loss last week against Melbourne Stars, “Silent Assassin” Carey’s 62-ball, 101 powered the Strikers to a mammoth 5-197 total and 82-run victory.

It was a timely ton for Carey a day after being delisted by the Capitals and three months after losing the Australian T20 keeper’s gloves to Matt Wade.

The Heat were never in the chase, folding for 115 in 17.3 overs.

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Ever improving Wes Agar speedster (4-27) removed dangermen Chris Lynn (17), Marnus Labuschagne (28) and Joe Denly (15) inside nine overs. Agar became equal top wickettaker this season (21) by claiming Max Bryant (25) to end the 17th over.

Seamer Peter Siddle (3-13), returning from a fractured thumb, collected former Test opener Joe Burns and Lewis Gregory in successive balls during the 11th over to finish off the Heat at 5-68.

The icing on the cake was a classic diving catch from Michael Neser to dismiss Mitch Swepson off Siddle to complete the dominant win.

The Strikers jumped to fourth spot with a bonus point triumph and left the Heat wallowing in seventh spot.

Consecutive games against Sydney Thunder on Sunday and Monday at Adelaide Oval will determine the Strikers’ finals tilt after an inconsistent season illustrated by a 6-6 win-loss record.

Strikers opener Alex Carey blasted a century against the Heat. Picture: Getty Images

CLASSY CAREY

Carey was freshly discarded by Indian Premier League franchise the Capitals – coached by Ponting, who was in the Channel 7 commentary box – and usurped by Matt Wade as national T20 custodian last November.

However, opener Carey unleashed a 360-degree scoring onslaught with 10 boundaries and three into the stands that earnt the first ton of BBL 2020-21.

“He batted beautifully, played the spinners and quickies really well,” Test legend Mike Hussey of Carey on Fox Sports.

“You don’t notice him scoring runs, almost like a silent assassin. It has been a quality innings.”

Ponting said: “ … unfortunately Alex found out either last night or today he has been released. I also told him there’s a chance I’ll buy him back at the (IPL) auction, so not all is lost.”

India’s Test hero against Australia, Rishabh Pant, was preferred ahead of Carey, who managed three matches for the Capitals last IPL season.

Ponting’s franchise have made room for a back-up option ahead of next month’s IPL auction.

“Those things you get a bit of an inkling for, didn’t play a lot of cricket, sat on the sidelines,” Carey said.

“It probably made sense to open that spot up for someone else. Hopefully there is an opportunity in this year’s (auction) and I was really grateful for Delhi and ‘Punter’ for pick me up in the first place.”

Having offered a return catch to Marnus Labuschagne on 26, Carey became the sixth batsmen to post two BBL tons after former Scorcher and Striker Craig Simmons, Usman Khawaja, Luke Wright, D’Arcy Short, Aaron Finch.

Carey is the only Striker to average over 25 this summer but 381 runs at 38 has underlined his international T20 credentials.

If Tim Paine’s Test understudy Carey doesn’t regain the T20 gloves in New Zealand next month he deserves a spot on the Test tour of South Africa, running concurrently in February.

RE-UNION

Carey (443 runs) and Jake Weatherald (383) were the opening duo critical to Adelaide’s 2017-18 BBL title, finishing among the competition’s top three run scorers.

The Carey-Weatherald union restored a natural order and rhythm to Adelaide’s batting order blasting 66 of six overs.

Phil Salt had partnered Weatherald and former Test opener Matt Renshaw at the top of the order with limited success this season. The presence of Travis Head as the No.3 safety net after resuming from Test squad duty against India gave coach Jason Gillespie the balance he had waited for.

HIT AND MISS

It was a case of two long hops, two wickets for Labuschagne but Chris Lynn’s gamble on the aspiring leg-spinner should have hit the jackpot.

Carey smashed two slog-sweep sixes before Labuschagne put down the keeper-batsman on 26. It was a reprieve that cost the Heat 75 runs and arguably the match.

Weatherald would pay for his first false shot, mistiming a pull to deep mid-wicket.

Head would chip his former Test teammate Labuschagne to Lynn at square leg to end a 47-run stand with his deputy but Carey was the one that got away.

OVER AND OUT

Morne Morkel has spent six weeks in COVID-19 quarantine and his 36-year-old frame succumbed second game back.

It was sad to see the big South African don a fluoro bib after conceding 10 runs in one over and be subbed by Max Bryant.