‘There’s some nasty stuff been said but…it is the Ashes’ : Alex Carey opens up about the controversial run out in Ashes 2023.

Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey has decided to address the controversy surrounding the stumping of Jonny Bairstow during the Ashes Test at Lord’s. Carey revealed that the Australian team was well aware of Bairstow’s tendency to leave his crease early and expressed surprise at the level of criticism their decision generated.

In the aftermath of the incident, Australian players faced verbal abuse from spectators in the Lord’s Long Room. As a result, three members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) were suspended. Stuart Broad, a member of the England team, taunted Carey, suggesting that he would be remembered solely for the contentious stumping.

Although Ben Stokes responded to the situation with an impressive innings of 155 runs, Australia still managed to secure a 43-run victory, extending their series lead to 2-0. However, England fought back, winning the subsequent match at Headingley and narrowing the series margin to 2-1.

Alex Carey’s comments shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics during the Ashes Test at Lord’s. The Australian team had identified Bairstow’s tendency to leave his crease early, leading to their decision to attempt the stumping. The intense criticism and the subsequent verbal abuse faced by the Australian players in the Lord’s Long Room highlight the passionate nature of the Ashes rivalry.

Alex Carey opened up about the incident saying “There’s some nasty stuff been said but…it is the Ashes. There was nasty stuff said before that as well. I feel really well supported. I think the whole group does.” Despite the backlash, Carey emphasized the unity within the Australian team and the support they receive. “We were switched on to the fact that it was a bouncer plan, and it felt like Jonny was pretty switched on to getting out of the way, he wasn’t playing any shots. When he ducked, his first movement was pretty much out of his crease, so I instinctively grabbed the ball, threw the stumps down, and the rest is history.”