Post by : Maya Rahman

Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey is ready to face the English fans once again as the Ashes series returns to Australia in November. The cricketer, who was at the centre of controversy during the 2023 Ashes at Lord’s, said he expects some loud taunts from England’s famous fan group, the Barmy Army, when the series begins in Perth on November 21.

Carey became a key figure in one of the most talked-about moments of the last Ashes series when he stumped England’s Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s. The incident sparked a heated debate over the “Spirit of Cricket” and led to intense reactions from English players, coaches, and fans.

The moment came when Bairstow, thinking the ball was dead, left his crease after the end of an over. Carey, alert behind the stumps, threw the ball at the wicket and successfully ran him out. The decision was within the laws of cricket but drew loud boos from the crowd and anger from England’s dressing room.

The situation escalated when some members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) verbally confronted Australian players in the Lord’s Long Room as they walked off for lunch. England coach Brendon McCullum later said that his team would remember the moment, questioning whether the dismissal reflected true sportsmanship.

Now, with the next Ashes series approaching, Carey said he knows he will hear plenty from England’s travelling supporters. “It’s going to be exciting... the Barmy Army, I’ve already seen a few chants come through, which is great,” he told reporters in Adelaide. “That sort of stuff is part of cricket history. It will be spoken about forever.”

He added that as a player, being in such moments is what makes cricket special. “As a playing group, you want to be in those big moments. I experienced it over in England, and now hopefully the Australian crowd can help block out some of that noise,” he said with a smile.

Carey expressed confidence that Australian fans will create a strong home atmosphere to support the national team when they take on England. “Hopefully, we have more fans here cheering for Australia than for England,” he added.

Australia won that dramatic Lord’s Test in 2023 to take a 2-0 series lead and eventually retained the Ashes despite losing two of the last three matches. Carey remained a target of jeering English fans throughout the rest of the series but said he does not regret what happened.

Reflecting on the controversy, Carey said he is at peace with his role in Ashes history. “It’s part of the game,” he said. “We love it. It’s sports—there are heroes and villains, and that’s what Ashes cricket is all about.”

As the five-Test series nears, Carey’s focus remains on performance rather than the noise from the stands. His calm attitude and confidence show that he is ready to face not just England’s bowling attack, but also the passionate voices of the Barmy Army once again.

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