Practice made perfect for Test debutant Alex Carey, earning praise from Nathan Lyon for his efforts at the Gabba.
There’s no fear of bright lights and debuts for Alex Carey. In February 2009, he played for the first time as a 17-year-old at the Adelaide Oval, representing Glenelg against Kensington in the final of South Australia’s first grade 50-over competition.
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Player of the match performance
Carey took to the ground with a player of the match performance with a duck to water. Batting for his life, he scored an unbeaten 64 at the start of the innings, leading Glenelg home in a calm chase of 154, then taking 2 for 22.
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The pressure of making a first Test appearance as a 30-year-old in the opening Ashes is clearly on another level. But again, Carey handled it brilliantly, claiming eight catches, the most by any wicketkeeper on a Test debut.
There were many differences of opinion as to whether Carey was selected for the Gabba Test as Tim Pan‘s replacement, but it was found that he had good international experience.
Lot of confidence in my game-
“I have a lot of confidence in my game,” he said. “I think playing a little bit of white-ball cricket for Australia helps. Once the bowler is running, I focus on the ball and the same thing happens with the bat. Obviously your The first test you go through a little bit is your idea.
“I think it didn’t take me long to get into the rhythm. Maybe a few overs and then we’re playing cricket again. It was a lot of fun.”
Confidence and calmness are qualities that Carrie has in abundance. He rarely gets surprised or overwhelmed. He was one of Australia’s most reliable performers in their first 50-over World Cup in England in 2019.
“I think as a wicketkeeper, you judge only on the basis of the catches taken or the catches dropped,” Carey said.
