Published by: Sourav Kumar
Updated on: Thursday, 12.06.2025
Alex Carey’s Lord’s 2025 Performance
Alex Carey Lord’s 2025 performance added another intriguing chapter to his Test cricket story. Facing South Africa, the Australian wicketkeeper found himself in the limelight again — both with the bat and behind the stumps.
Carey’s attempt to reverse sweep Keshav Maharaj ended poorly, and a dropped catch off Wiaan Mulder drew even more criticism. Yet, despite these hiccups, a resilient Australian tail helped shift focus back onto the team’s success.
The Reverse Sweep: Risk vs Reward
The reverse sweep has long been part of Alex Carey’s repertoire. During a 2022 tour, he joked about his wife Eloise disapproving of the shot:
“Don’t play the bloody reverse sweep, not again,” she once told him.
Despite personal warnings, Carey persists. At Lord’s 2025, this high-risk shot became his undoing at a critical time. With Australia at 192/5 and heading toward a solid 300, his dismissal triggered a collapse — 5 wickets for just 20 runs in 34 balls.
Yet statistically, Carey’s reverse sweep has yielded 129 runs off 113 balls in Tests — scoring at over a run-a-ball, though dismissed six times while playing it.
A Miss Behind the Stumps
Perhaps even more surprising than the reverse sweep was Carey’s dropped catch — a regulation edge off Wiaan Mulder in the fifth over of South Africa’s innings. Mitchell Starc had already begun celebrating when the ball slipped through Carey’s gloves.
Steven Smith came to his defense, explaining:
“It swung a little late on him. It happens with the Dukes ball. He’s been excellent behind the stumps, so one drop doesn’t define him.”
Indeed, Carey has built up a strong reputation as one of Australia’s most reliable wicketkeepers in recent years.
Australia’s Strong Finish Eases Pressure
Despite the blunders, Australia ended Day 1 in control — 169 runs ahead with South Africa at 4 wickets down. Smith noted that the wicket at Lord’s offered variable bounce and may spin more as the game progresses.
This comeback masked the earlier lapses and proved why Test cricket is as much about moments as it is about overall outcomes.
What Lies Ahead
As the Lord’s Test continues, all eyes will be on Carey. Will he persist with the reverse sweep in challenging conditions? Will he bounce back with a flawless display behind the stumps?
Whatever happens next, Alex Carey Lord’s 2025 outing will be remembered for its drama, decisions, and moments of redemption.
FAQs
Q1. Why did Alex Carey play the reverse sweep at Lord’s 2025?
He saw a gap in the field and trusted his scoring shot, though the conditions were less favorable than in subcontinental venues.
Q2. How successful has Carey been with the reverse sweep in Tests?
He has scored 129 runs off 113 balls with it, though he’s been dismissed six times using the shot.
Q3. Was the dropped catch by Carey a turning point?
Thankfully for Australia, it didn’t cost them much as the bowlers kept South Africa in check.
Q4. What was Australia’s final score in their innings?
They were bowled out for 212 after a lower-order collapse.
Q5. How is the pitch behaving at Lord’s?
It has offered bounce, seam, and may take spin as the game progresses, according to Steven Smith.
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