Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Alex Carey will play his 50th Test as the best wicketkeeper in the country, but also as a man for all occasions with the bat after a career turning point in 2024.
Since making his debut in the 2021-22 Ashes series, Carey has not missed a Test match and will reach the milestone in Mackay during the second Test against Bangladesh which starts on Saturday.
His glovework, as evidenced by his exemplary displays up to the stumps off pacemen Michael Neser and Scott Boland in last summer’s Ashes, has reached the pinnacle, but it is his batting that has come along in leaps and bounds.
Throw the 34-year-old a challenge and he will rise to it.
None was more compelling than his unbeaten 98 in the second innings of the second Test in Christchurch in 2024, when Australia were 5-80 needing 279 to win.
Carey, who had been through a lean patch with the bat, made his runs off 123 deliveries and in partnership with Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins steered Australia to a three-wicket win and their highest run chase against the Black Caps in Test history.
“Individually, that probably stands out (with) the game situation,” Carey said.
“I probably wasn’t playing the cricket I wanted to be playing at the time, but you just lock into watching the next ball and focusing on that. I learned a lot about my game and was able to take a lot from that innings.
“That partnership with Bison (Marsh) was really special.”
Carey has batted mostly at No.7 in the order but recently moved up one notch in the line-up. He has a Test average of 62 batting at No.6 and his one dig at No.5 produced a brilliant 156 last year in Galle.
The South Australian makes the point that his glovework is “my number one role in the team” but his development as a batter was evidenced last calendar year when he made 767 runs at 47.93 – with two centuries.
“I feel like I have nailed a process over the last little period and stuck to that. I haven’t really deflected away from what works for me,” he said.
“At times you … listen to a lot of outside noise and help which sometimes isn’t always helpful.
“I have played a fair bit of consistent cricket at Sheffield Shield level, and batting at No.5 for South Australia is always good exposure. I just love playing cricket and finding ways to learn and improve.
“I still feel like there is a lot of improvement in my game. It has been a lot of fun playing with these guys. They give you a lot of confidence as well. The senior leaders and staff really back the way we play our best cricket.”
