Cricket greats all say the same thing about Alex Carey
An “underrated” Aussie cricket star may have finally silenced his critics after his crucial role in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
When the swashbuckling, hugely popular Adam Gilchrist burst onto the Test cricket scene back in 1999, it forever changed the measuring stick for wicketkeeper batters.
While Ian Healy and the late Rod Marsh before him were accomplished glovemen who contributed with the willow, Gilchrist’s ability to smash bowling attacks to all parts of the ground and accelerate the run rate set him apart.
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Seven Australians have donned the gloves since Gilchrist retired in 2008, with Brad Haddin and former skipper Tim Paine the most successful.
For a variety of reasons, few have faced the scrutiny that has followed incumbent Alex Carey since he replaced Paine in the crucial role in 2021.
An unassuming character, Carey brought up his second Test century with a sensational 156 in the second Test against Sri Lanka, helping the tourists build a 157-run first-innings lead.
Australia lost 7/64 after Smith’s dismissal to slip from 3/350 to 414 all out, highlighting the importance of Carey’s contribution.
The 33-year-old’s innings lifted his average to 35.14 from his 39 Tests to date, ahead of predecessors Paine (32.63), Healy (27.39) and Marsh (26.51).
He also broke Gilchrist’s previous record of 144 for the highest score by an Aussie keeper in Asia, which the Test great managed twice in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Carey, who was dropped in favour of Josh Inglis during the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, has regularly found himself under pressure to retain his Test place.
While he is considered a dedicated, valuable team member within the squad, Carey has faced persistent outside pressure to retain his baggy green ahead of Inglis.
The 29-year-old Inglis is playing this two-match series, hitting a ton of his own in the first Test victory before getting dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the second, but Carey continues to don the gloves.
Carey’s highest Test score in the first innings, which was part of a match-turning 259-run partnership with stand-in skipper Steve Smith (131), led to some gushing praise for the understated keeper.
Cricket reporter Bharat Sundaresan wrote on X: “Such a popular Test hundred. Such a popular teammate. So deserved for Alex Carey. Has worked so hard for this. Massive external scrutiny on his place in the side over the last 18 months & he’s proven why he’s the No 1 wicketkeeper behind the wickets & with bat in hand.”
Former keeper Darren Berry tweeted: “Alex Carey a mighty fine gloveman who is keeping beautifully and once again shows what a class bat he is. Underrated at times & very consistent performer in his craft.”
Ex-Test all-rounder Simon O’Donnell wrote: “Don’t often comment but Alex Carey is massively underrated in this Australian test team #keeper #Cricket #tough.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was keen to point out Carey and Smith’s effort against the Sri Lankan spinners, tweeting: “This Steve Smith & Alex Carey partnership in Galle should be sent around all young players on how to play the spinning ball.”
While Carey is well down the list of total dismissals in Test cricket considering his relatively small number of appearances, his average of 2.219 dismissals per innings is behind only South African Quentin de Kock (2.367) on the list of the top 30 wicket keepers in history.
In a Test match against New Zealand in March 2024, he equalled Gilchrist’s record for most catches in a match with 10, following it up with a match-winning 98 not out with the bat.
He will likely always be remembered for his move to run out Jonny Bairstow in the 2023 Ashes, becoming the subject of intense vitriol from former England greats and the British press when he knocked over the stumps when the English batter assumed the ball was dead.
But efforts like the one he has produced in Galle this week are changing the narrative about a cricketer who quietly goes about his business and is a huge contributor to the side.
Greg Blewett said on Channel 7: “It’s his highest score (and he) played beautifully.
“He always looks to score and motored on, just about a run a ball yesterday.
“He got through the new ball today before his dismissal, hit a lot of boundaries, loves using his feet and has power as well. He played beautifully.”
Speaking during the lunch break on Saturday, Simon Katich added on 7: “It was pure class and I think right from the word go, he went out there with intent.
“The spinners didn’t know how to bowl to him and I think it’s as well as he’s ever played.
“He’s batted superbly here.”
Despite Carey’s heroics, there was a mixed reaction on social media, with some keen to point to the fact he always appears to be under pressure.
Philip Kelly tweeted: “And yet his name always comes up to potentially be replaced.”
An account called Bdosi wrote: “Simply can’t understand why some sections of the media continuously have AC precariously close to being dropped for Inglis???
“Carey is every bit as good a batsman and considerably better gloveman!”
Another account offered: “Since Gilly, the focus has been on runs for keepers, but his glove work has been top notch!”
Regardless of the outside noise, Carey is clearly a key contributor to an Australian side that is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and has an opportunity for a second straight World Test Championship when it faces South Africa in the final at Lord’s in June.
Originally published as Cricket greats all say the same thing about Alex Carey
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