Australia A captain Alex Carey has responded to Australian cricket legend Allan Border’s withering criticism over his team’s performance in the recent pink-ball warm-up game against India, saying he would love to sit down and chat with the former captain while defending his team’s performance.
Border launched a stunning assault on Australia A and captain Alex Carey after India amassed 170 runs in the final session on day two of the day-night tour match with Rishabh Pant hammering an incredible unbeaten century including 22 runs off the final over to put hosts into a dominant position at the SCG with.
However, Australia A managed to draw the tour game thanks to unbeaten centuries from Ben McDermott and Jack Wildermuth on day three following a surprise batting collapse (3-25) in their second innings after they were rolled for 108 in their first innings against India.
Reacting to the performance, the legendary cricketer labeled Australia’s efforts as an “absolute disgrace” while targeting Carey's captaincy.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has been touted as a future Test captain for Australia and Border said he “had a lot of work to do” before he should be considered capable of fulfilling the leadership role for Australia.
Commentating on the match for Fox Cricket, Border said: “One of the worst, (most) lethargic performances I have seen in the last session of any cricket. This is Australia A, they are representing Australia, they are young blokes trying to make their way. That fielding performance, bowling performance, captaincy performance — an absolute disgrace. Not up to scratch at all.”
He added, “Just not good enough boys I’m afraid, I don’t often have a crack but after last night you deserve it. If Alex Carey is in line to be an Australian captain, he has got a lot of work to do for me. He has gone down quite a few pegs. He is a good cricketer Alex Carey, he has got a bit of energy himself, but yesterday he should have reacted to the way the general feel around the team was.”
Reacting to the savage words from Border, Carey denied that there was a lack of effort from his team in the tour game saying they were trying but was difficult to get well-set Pant out.
Carey was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald: “Absolutely, I love talking to the greats that have been in Australian cricket and picking their brain. One of Australia’s best captains and players, I would love to have a chat with AB.”
He further explained, “I guess, personally being out there, the attitude wasn’t bad. We were trying. We had difficult situations with our bowlers, as I mentioned, making sure they got the right overs in. The way we responded today was outstanding. Last night was difficult, they had two set batters… we've also had a lot of injuries the last couple of days.”
Carey signed off by saying, “It was difficult out there with two set batters, and Rishabh (Pant) slogging it the way he did. But I absolutely would love to sit down and chat with AB for all parts of my game. I highly respect Allan Border and if he sees that, I guess you take a bit out of it.”
(With IANS Inputs)
