Australia wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey reckons presence of country's former captain and legend Steve Waugh around the group ahead of the upcoming Ashes is just brilliant as it helps players feed off the expertise of an eight-time Ashes-winning skipper and a proven great of the game.
"Having Steve is amazing for the group. I think he's won nine [eight] Ashes [series as player] and been over here [England] and played a lot. 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," Carey said after a practice session prior to the highly anticipated first Test against England from August 1 in Birmingham.
"Personally, I just had a quick chat just getting to know Steve. It's quite early and he'll mentor us and have his spin on things. It's just great knowledge to have."
"Steve's been watching the one-day stuff and commentating a bit there. I've had a few little chats with him, but more moving now into the red ball and getting that focus of a longer format."
"The patience of the game, staying focused for longer, little things that will come out over the next few days. The more we train, the more you start talking, you start asking questions."
Carey, whose selection in the World Cup squad raised eyebrows, gave an excellent account of himself at the quadrennial event with strong performances with both bat and gloves.
The 27-year-old kept his nerves in pressure situations and that should really hold him in good stead if given an opportunity to play during the Ashes.
"I guess different circumstances throughout the World Cup were really good learning experiences for me. Having Smith and Warner back in the side, and the experienced guys I got to bat with, you learn a lot out in the middle," he said.
"Obviously, batting [at] 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. At times, it felt just like play good cricket, and play a bit of Test cricket - absorb some pressure and rebuild at times. It was good to go through different circumstances and have some success."
"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 signed off.
(Inputs from CricketNext)
