‘Pretty happy I didn’t have to face another ball’ – Alex Carey comments on missed ton in Christchurch Test

Alex Carey. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

In a nail-biting encounter against New Zealand, Australian keeper-batter Alex Carey narrowly missed out on a century but expressed his relief after his team clinched victory on Day Four of the second Test. Carey’s unbeaten 98 played a crucial role as Australia chased down 279 runs with three wickets to spare, securing a 2–0 series win.

Carey, speaking after the match, admitted he was “pretty happy” not to face another delivery, acknowledging the pressure of the situation might have led to a rash shot. Reflecting on the first game’s dismissals in Wellington, Carey highlighted the importance of a solid plan, reading the conditions, bowlers, and the partnership with Mitchell Marsh.

“Pretty happy I didn’t have to face another ball, I was pretty up and about at that stage and might have played a rash shot with the energy going the way it was. [I was] a little bit disappointed with the first game’s dismissals [in Wellington]. But today I kept to a really solid plan, read the conditions, read the bowlers and the partnership as well. We always felt pretty confident,” Carey said speaking to ABC Radio.

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Everyone was nervous the last couple of hours: Cummins

Captain Pat Cummins, who played a vital role with 33* runs and four wickets in the second innings, praised the team’s ability to find ways to win in challenging circumstances.

Sharing his thoughts after the tense match, Cummins remarked, “Pretty tense, everyone was nervous the last couple of hours. Amazing win. (On winning runs) Anyway possible to win, I had no idea he (Carey) was on 98. The toss helped, it was funny how quickly the match moved on Day 1. First innings leads are always key for this reason.

“We’ve been on the other side of Tests plenty of time, I just told the boys to keep the scoreboard moving, stay busy and put the pressure on the opposition. We’ve got an experienced side, the story of this series has been guys standing up in crunch moments. Love playing Test matches, the best format of cricket, and it pays off on days like this.”