Watching Alex Carey flourish as a wicketkeeper has been a privilege, according to Australian great Adam Gilchrist — the man who presented the Ashes star with his baggy green cap just over four years ago.
In a phenomenal performance in Australia’s 4-1 triumph over England, 34-year-old Carey was involved in 28 dismissals and scored 323 runs at an average of 46.4, including a century at Adelaide Oval.
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Carey, who took 27 catches and affected one stumping, finished just one dismissal behind the all-time Ashes record held by Brad Haddin and clearly outpointed rival Jamie Smith, who arrived in Australia with a big reputation.
The left-hander, who will play the remainder of the BBL series for the Adelaide Strikers, was in contention for the Compton-Miller Medal deservedly claimed by Mitchell Starc and struck the winning runs at the SCG to cap a fine series.
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Gilchrist, who averaged 47.6 during his 96 Test career and contributed 416 dismissals, said the Aussie wicketkeeper with 48 Tests under his belt was incredibly sharp, with his work standing up to Scott Boland and Michael Neser critical for his nation.
“He elevated his game to a completely higher level in this series, both when batting and behind the stumps,” Gilchrist told foxsports.com.au on Saturday.
“But it is no surprise to see him elevate it to where he did because he just works so hard and has a tremendous work ethic and he has a desire to improve. The longer you get exposed at a higher level, if you have the right attitude, you are naturally going to develop your game and improve and he was absolutely sensational.
“That was the highlight of the whole series for me. Travis (Head) was amazing and Mitchell Starc just continues to impress with his professionalism and commitment to the Test format and baggy green cap. But probably for obvious reasons, I found Carey’s performance throughout the series mesmerising. Really what made it so enjoyable for me was his efforts.”
Gilchrist presented Carey with his Test cap prior to his debut in the 2021/22 Ashes series and said that, as a result, he had kept close track of his progression as a wicketkeeper.
“You take a real personal interest and have somewhat of an investment in a player when you have the unique honour of presenting the cap and following their journey,” he said.
“It is always really special and that is probably what makes it even more pleasing, when you see them succeed, and he just epitomises what my recollections of playing for Australia were.”
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While Carey missed selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka beginning next month, he is among the stars who will feature through the rest of the BBL.
The Adelaide Strikers were beaten by the ladder leading Hobart Hurricanes on Friday night but remain in the mix for the finals in what is a congested table from second to seventh.
Steve Smith and Todd Murphy will feature for the Sydney Sixers, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja for the Brisbane Heat, while Beau Webster and Jake Weatherald will strengthen the Hobart Hurricanes, which have won six of their eight games so far despite losing short-form star Tim David to injury.
Starc will be available for the Sydney Sixers after a brief rest, while Michael Neser will return for Brisbane later in the week to come.
Brendan Doggett, meanwhile, played for the Melbourne Renegades against the Stars in Saturday night’s derby, which Gilchrist called for Kayo Sports.
Gilchrist has been buoyed by the big crowds and viewing audiences so far this season but has no doubt the presence of Australia’s leading cricketers will provide a further boost.
“That is what the tournament needs to elevate it to a higher level,” he said.
“There is talk of private equity or private enterprise coming in and owning teams, which is good in theory, but I don’t think it will ever get to the heights it can get to without the Australian stars playing in it.
“In the IPL and The Hundred, they have their top players playing in it, and I think with the timing, it is a slight handbrake for the competition, but it is a challenging administrative scheduling issue, that one.
“Until then, we will take them when we get them and it is nice to have them coming back once they are available after the Tests. And it is fantastic that so many teams are still in the race at the moment … and it keeps the interest in it right through and hopefully the crowds can be maintained.”
Gilchrist said he had marvelled at the manner the Hurricanes have been able to manage without David, who injured a hamstring and is focusing on a World Cup return next month.
He has also been impressed by some of the younger talents including Australia’s Under-19 captain Ollie Peake, who has performed well for the Renegades.
“I’ve really enjoyed seeing a few of the young guys like Ollie Peake coming in and flourishing and Brisbane have a couple of good young bowlers that are talented including Oliver Patterson. I’ve really enjoyed his work and the skills that he has,” he said.
“And the Scorchers, they have not consistently fired, but should they get through to the finals, they are as dangerous a team as anyone. The Sixers, they just need to get it right at the right time and obviously Hobart are doing extremely well to do what they are doing without Tim David. If you took someone with that firepower out of a lesser team, they would fall over, but guys have stepped in and got the job done.”
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