‘Keep your foot behind the line’: 16-year history behind Alex Carey’s controversial stumping

Alex Carey has claimed he would attempt his controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow again if the opportunity arose, revealing he fell victim to a near-identical dismissal during his maiden first-grade match for Glenelg.

The 31-year-old wicketkeeper became England’s pantomime villain after stumping Bairstow on day five of the Lord’s Ashes Test, which Australia ultimately won by 43 runs to take a 2-0 series lead.

Carey’s stumping divided the cricket world — the South Australian became public enemy No. 1 in the United Kingdom, relentlessly heckled by Leeds spectators during the third Ashes Test at Headingley.

Speaking to reporters in Manchester, Carey recalled his first match in Adelaide Premier Cricket when Glenelg captain Ben Hook, a former state representative, gave the 15-year-old some pertinent advice after creeping out of his crease.

“I’ve definitely been out to that a few times, and I’ve tried to do it (to batters) in the past as well,” Carey said.

“My first A-grade game in South Australia, I was out that way. When I walked off, I was pretty disappointed.

“(My) captain came up to me, he said, ‘You’ll remember to keep your foot behind the line next time.’”

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Carey confirmed that Australia had identified Bairstow’s tendency to leave his crease before the ball was dead, confessing he would try it again if his English counterpart continued wandering out too early.

“Obviously his first movement was pretty much out of his crease, so instinctively I grabbed the ball, threw the stumps down and the rest is history,” Carey explained.

“As soon as I got it, I threw it straightaway. And then I guess once the bail has come off, it’s up to the third umpire to deem it out or not out.”

Carey admitted he was surprised by the ensuing backlash, which included ugly scenes in the Lord’s Pavilion Long Room during lunch on day five — the MCC has suspended three members after the shameful incident.

“There’s some nasty stuff being said. But like we said, it is the Ashes. There was nasty stuff said before that as well,” Carey continued.

“I feel really well supported. I think the whole group does … I still think we’ve got lots of fans from England. I don’t think we’ve made any, but we probably didn’t lose any.

“We got some pretty instant feedback. It‘s one of those things where a stumping that’s given out on field is turned into a massive story. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I absolutely respect that. And then everyone’s entitled to their opinion on the spirit of cricket as well.”

Carey also revealed that former England captain Alastair Cook had apologised after falsely claiming the wicketkeeper didn’t pay for a $57 haircut in Leeds, a story Cricket Australia unequivocally rubbished last week.

“I found it I guess a little bit amusing to start off with,” Carey laughed.

“Wasn’t sure if it was fake news or not. But yeah, the hair hasn’t been cut since we were down in Chelsea. It’s definitely due for a trim.

“I’m not that tight. I have been told I’m pretty tight.

“(Cook) reached out and apologised, so it was nice to hear from him.”

Carey’s glovework had been impeccable throughout the Ashes series, executing 20 dismissals in the opening three Tests and missing two chances. Meanwhile, Bairstow has taken just 12 of the 20 chances that have come his way.

The fourth Ashes Test gets underway at Old Trafford on Wednesday, with England needing a victory to keep the series alive.