The past few weeks have been a massive learning experience for me, reveals Alex Carey
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Alex Carey in an interview talked about his experience of playing in different situations in the recently concluded World Cup under huge pressure and going on to excel in each scenario. He further discussed the comparisons with Michael Hussey and the all-Australia clash ahead of the Ashes.
While Australia may have been disappointed that their World Cup campaign did not end in glory after their middle order failed to play its part throughout the tournament, Alex Carey’s rise as one of the best wicketkeeper batsmen in the world will certainly be a silver lining for them. His performances in the mega event prompted the legendary Steve Waugh to compare him to another national icon and Mr. Cricket himself, Michael Hussey. Waugh will be joining the Australian squad for the Ashes as a mentor and this might just spell good news for Carey.
"If I'm half as good as him, I'll be happy - he's an incredible player. Having Steve is amazing for the group. I think he's won nine Ashes , and been over here and played a lot here. To have the knowledge of Steve Waugh, one of the greatest Australian cricketers, be a part of this group is something we're really lucky to have,” Alex Carey was reported saying by ESPNCricinfo.
The Kangaroo finished the World Cup as the highest run-getter for a wicketkeeper as well as had the second-highest number of dismissals throughout the tournament. More importantly, he was tested both as a finisher who could score quick runs and as an anchor who could stabilize the innings.
"I guess different circumstances throughout the World Cup were really good learning experiences for me. Obviously batting seven you hope to come in during the last 10, and if you don't then you do your best through the middle to be busy, occupy the crease, all those things. At times it felt just like play good cricket, and play a bit of Test cricket - absorb some pressure and rebuild at times," Carey said of his experience in the World Cup.
He scored 375 runs in the tournament at an average of 62.5 and a strike rate of 100-plus, along with 20 dismissals to his name. This might have just helped the 27-year-old edge the other players in securing a spot for himself in the Ashes squad.
"The last six to eight weeks have been a massive learning experience for me and then going back 12 months even. Every time I go out to play I try to learn as much as I can from success or failures, learn from the experienced guys in the team and once you get put under pressure you learn a lot about yourself pretty quickly as well,” Carey added.
Carey will be playing for the Haddin XII in the upcoming intra-squad match being played to help decide the final Ashes squad. A good performance there will help secure his spot as a reserve keeper for skipper Tim Paine in the final 16-man squad.
"It's obviously a pretty unique situation, a unique game we're about to play in. Just do our best I guess and go out and hopefully perform is firstly what we want to do and go from there. I'm really excited to get an opportunity with the gloves on Tuesday and simple as that,” Carey concluded.
