Alex Carey Unfazed by Controversy, Would Repeat Stumping of Bairstow in Remaining Ashes Tests

Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey has asserted that he would not hesitate to replicate his controversial stumping of England’s Jonny Bairstow if presented with a similar opportunity in the final two tests of the ongoing Ashes series.

Carey’s stumping of Bairstow during the second test at Lord’s last month stirred a ‘Spirit of Cricket’ dispute that even involved the prime ministers of Australia and England. Bairstow was given out after being found guilty of leaving his crease, leading to Australia’s 43-run victory and a 2-1 lead in the five-test series as they head into the fourth match at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

When questioned about the possibility of repeating the move that caused tension and verbal abuse towards Australia’s players, Carey responded, “If there was an opportunity to get a stumping, yeah I would.” He acknowledged the heated exchanges but emphasized that such incidents are not uncommon in the fiercely contested Ashes series.

While the incident sparked public disagreement between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak, Carey expressed surprise at how the matter had escalated. He felt supported by his team and mentioned the presence of loyal Australian fans, although acknowledging the lack of new English fans.

Reflecting on the stumping, Carey explained, “We were aware of the bouncer plan, and it seemed like Jonny was alert to avoiding it without playing any shots.” He highlighted the significance of Bairstow’s wicket, given his prowess as a player, especially in conjunction with Ben Stokes.

Ultimately, Carey emphasized that once the bails were dislodged, the decision of whether it was out or not lay with the third umpire or the on-field umpires, and in this case, it was deemed out.

Despite the controversy, Carey remains undeterred and ready to perform his duties behind the stumps in the remaining Ashes tests.