"It’s quite a big reaction externally for one loss" - Carey assures all is calm in Australia camp ahead of 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test
Australia wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey has stated that the Border-Gavaskar series loss to India in Perth resulted in an overreaction from fans and pundits. There have been numerous reports of rifts within the team, while the poor performances from the members of an ageing squad have also been singled out.
Despite being seated comfortably in the World Test Championship (WTC) table, Australia have been shaky in the longest format for a while. A surprise loss to the West Indies at the Gabba earlier this year, coupled with the heavy 295-run defeat to India recently have demoralized the team altogether.
To add fuel to the fire, Josh Hazlewood's absence from the second Test has been put down to his recent comments in the media. Although the official reason is cited as a side strain, several were left surprised with the sudden appearance of the injury, and the timing in the scheme of things.
Travis Head had vouched that there was no sense of unrest in the dressing room, and his middle-order compatriot Alex Carey aligned with those views.
"It’s quite a big reaction externally for one loss. Internally, we don’t feel that. We didn’t play the way that we wanted to play, but we know over four or five Test matches that if we keep rocking up and playing our style of cricket then we’ll have the success," Carey told reporters ahead of the second Test (via Herald Sun).
“We’ve had that success to call upon that the method does work. We’re calm internally and we’re excited to get back out and play a better style of cricket. We’ve got that opportunity on Friday," he added.
Australia are cornered following an unexpected first punch from India, scathing comments by pundits, and allegations by fans and the media. Pat Cummins and co. are in desperate need of a strong performance to attain some breathing room and get back into the five-match series.
"I trust our batters to find a way not only against Bumrah" - Alex Carey confident of strong showing against Indian pace battery
Inspired by an opening spell for the ages, Jasprit Bumrah and co. skittled out Australia for 104 runs in the first innings in Perth. While the spearhead led the charge for the visitors, the supporting cast of Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Reddy also made an impression.
The match-up between the Australian batters and the Indian bowlers will be the main focus again, with the pink ball being a key variable.
Alex Carey maintained that the batters will have to come up with ways to counter Bumrah and the other bowlers to avoid a repeat of the first Test.
“He’s obviously a fantastic bowler and has been for a number of years. Our batters are world class as well and always find ways to come up with solutions. We’ve had a look at him now, so hopefully we can combat that first and second spell and get him bowling a little bit deeper in the innings with an older ball," Carey stated (as per the aforementioned source).
“We saw Travis (Head) have a bit of a counterpunch (in Perth), so I trust our batters to find a way not only (against) Bumrah but they played a couple of debutants who bowled well," he concluded.
The second Test between India and Australia will begin from Friday, December 6 onwards at the Adelaide Oval.