Image Credit- Getty
For Alex Carey, this year has been very eventful.
After reaching his first Test century at the MCG at the start of 2023, he faced
obstacles in front of and behind the wickets in India, where his glovework
reached new heights.
Subsequently, he made a significant contribution to
the World Test Championship final triumph. This was succeeded by the dramatic
Ashes match, when his luck revolved on Jonny Bairstow’s stumping at Lord’s. The
World Cup began, and he lost what had seemed to be a fairly solid ODI position
due to a form dip.
Now, the MCG will serve as a reminder of that century
against South Africa. Australia will be testing their mettle at home as usual,
and Carey will be looking to end a year marked by ups and downs with a solid
showing that will raise their 2023 average to 23.76.
He had developed well in Perth, where on the second
morning he shared a stand of ninety runs with Mitchell Marsh to take the game
away from Pakistan, only to be met by an almost unplayable delivery from Aamer
Jamal around the wicket.
“The situation I came out in [last year against
South Africa], the top order did a great job. I feel like that is batting, some
ups and downs,” Carey said. “That’s going to happen at certain times
but I felt like the last few weeks [I’ve been] training, preparing well, [and
had] some time out in the middle and a Shield game as well.”
He also kept tidily with seven dismissals – although
the crucial edge off Babar Azam in the first innings nearly squeezed out – and
in the process brought up a century behind the stumps in Test cricket.
“My job is to do the best I can behind the stumps
to try to support our amazing bowlers,” he said. “Hopefully a few
more out here against Pakistan on Boxing Day. It’s been a lot of fun. Lots of
different conditions from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England. It’s been pretty
cool.”
With multiple significant trophies up for grabs in the
format, Australia’s year comes to an end with the Melbourne Test. They left
with two titles—the World Test Championship and the Ashes—but lost 2-1 in India
and were unable to win the match in England outright for the first time since
2001.
Carey is eager to try and gain further T20 experience
during the off-season and has no intention of concentrating only on red-ball
cricket. From mid-March to late-November, Australia does not play Test cricket,
therefore Carey is not expected to be included in the team for the T20 World
Cup.
“I still feel like I’ve had some pretty solid
performances the last 12 months in one-day cricket,” he said. “The
timings of the leaner trot led to that decision from the selection panel. But
absolutely I feel like I’ve got a lot of one-day cricket and T20 cricket still
left in me.
“I haven’t been able to play a lot of T20 cricket
– which has been good, of course, you’re playing Test cricket – but would love
to get the opportunity to play some more T20 cricket during the winter wherever
that may be.”