Australian Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey has spoken publicly for the first time about the intense criticism and personal abuse he and his family endured in the UK during the explosive 2023 Ashes series.
The Stumping That Ignited a Firestorm
In a revealing interview on Unfiltered with host Hamish McLachlan, the 34-year-old cricketer opened up about the emotional fallout from the now-infamous stumping of England's Jonny Bairstow at Lord's. The pivotal moment occurred when Bairstow wandered out of his crease, believing the ball was dead, only for Carey to swiftly throw down the stumps.
The incident became the flashpoint of the entire series, sparking fierce international debate about the 'spirit of cricket' and turning Carey into a central, controversial figure.
Facing a 'Whole Country' of Abuse
Carey described the torrent of abuse that followed as both unfair and excessive. 'For a cricketing act, the amount of abuse was pretty unwarranted, I thought,' he told McLachlan.
He admitted that the constant hostility was difficult to escape, making him second-guess himself at times. 'It's hard to escape all that noise when it's pretty much a whole country going at you all at once,' Carey revealed, acknowledging there were moments during the series where he felt distracted by the overwhelming emotion surrounding the event.
Family Support Through the Turmoil
The Australian gloveman credited his wife, Eloise, and their children for providing a crucial support system during the challenging tour. He expressed gratitude that his family was with him, though it came with its own difficulties.
'For her to be over there and support me firstly – the kids were over there too so at times she probably had to block their ears a little bit through all of that,' Carey said, highlighting the personal toll the public scrutiny took.
He described his wife as a pillar of strength, offering love and encouragement through the 'bumpy period,' which he says ultimately helped him achieve 'amazing things' on the field despite the controversy.
Beyond the Ashes fallout, the interview also delves into Carey's journey from Australian Rules Football to professional cricket and his recent omission from the World Cup squad.
The full, compelling episode of Unfiltered featuring Alex Carey airs after stumps on Day 2 of the Perth Test at 9pm AEDT on Seven and 7plus Sport.
