Image Credit- ICC
Alex Carey is not phased by much. But more than any
previous year, 2023 has put his mild-mannered temperament to the test.
There were many highs and lows throughout the India
Test Tour. During an Indian Test tour, he turned arguably one of the greatest
wicketkeeping efforts by an Australian ever. However, Ravindra Jadeja and
company tricked him with the bat, overshadowing his glovework in certain ways.
The subsequent England trip started gloriously with a
sensational performance with bat and gloves in the World Test Championship
final. He also contributed to Australia’s 1-0 Ashes lead at Edgbaston with some
outstanding play.
However, the encounter with Lord seemed to alter the
trajectory of his year.
After serving as the cornerstone of Australia’s ODI
team for four years, including three matches as captain in 2021, he was fired
after just one match at the ODI World Cup. In a challenging year, the axing was
just one more item to take in.
His functions in the two formats are distinct from one
another. Carey’s form was not the only factor in his ODI dismissal; the rest of
Australia’s World Cup-winning starting seven also played a significant role.
Josh Inglis’s dynamism and versatility were a better fit for a middle order
that ultimately included two anchor-type players in Marnus Labuschagne and
Steven Smith.
Carey claimed that being benched in India gave him the
opportunity to reassess his objectives and improve his technique with the
assistance of Australia’s batting coach Michael Di Venuto and former Zimbabwe
wicketkeeper batsman Andy Flower.
“The silver lining is I had a mini pre-season
over there as well,” Carey said. “Always being ready to play but I
was able to, I guess pick my game apart and work with some new faces and with
different minds in the game. Having Andy Flower over there was great as well.
“Now he’s a fantastic bloke. And working
alongside Michael Di Venuto was great. Different ways to look at the game.
Certain areas to score.
“It was nice just to get different opinions and
talk to different people.”