Home
Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey on February 8 scripted history at Galle International Stadium. Carey became the first Australian wicketkeeper-batter to score 150 in Asia. The previous highest for an Australian wicketkeeper-batter belonged to Adam Gilchrist. The legendary wicketkeeper had scored 144 in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Carey's 156 is also the fourth-highest by an Australian batter in Sri Lanka. Other non-Asian wicketkeeper-batters to score 150 or more in Asia are Zimbabwe's Andy Flower (232 not out and 183 not out), South Africa's AB de Villiers (164), Zimbabwe's Tatenda Taibu (153), West Indies' Clyde Walcott (152) and New Zealand's Warren Lees (152).
Carey's 156 is also the second-highest score by a visiting wicketkeeper-batter in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh's Rahim scored a 200 in Galle in 2013. Carey's 156 is also the fourth-highest by a wicketkeeper against Sri Lanka in the format. England's Jonny Bairstow (167 not out) and Pakistan's Kamran Akmal (158 not out) are the other two.
Carey shared a 259-run partnership for the fourth-wicket with stand-in skipper Steve Smith. Carey scored 156 runs from 118 balls including 15 fours and a couple of sixes. He was dismissed by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. Smith scored 131 runs from 254 balls including 10 fours and a six. He lost his wicket to Jayasuriya as well. The 259-run partnership is Australia's highest for fourth wicket on Sri Lankan soil.
"Great feeling. Batting alongside Smudge - another special knock from the captain. Still a lot of work to do this morning. There's a new ball available now which might cause some difficulties. Opportunities for the boys to press on. When our time does come with the ball, our spinners will hopefully be well suited," Carey told the broadcasters after the end of Day 2's play.
Carey relied on sweeps and reverse-sweeps which he considers his strengths, something which he struggled to do in India.
"I think I stuck to a plan and a process and kept it pretty simple," Carey said of his innings. "I went to reverse sweeps at times. I played it on the straight plane as well, when I thought there was an opportunity to do so."
Australia take substantial lead
Jayasuriya claimed five wickets as Australia were bowled out for 414. Australia managed to take a 157-run lead. Earlier, in the first innings, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 257 despite Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis' half-centuries. Mitchell Starc, Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets each.
ADVERTISEMENT
