Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Netball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Important SN update for SouthlandSaviour Carey defends Australian top order
Luke Mathews • July 4th, 2025 3:45 pm
Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey has gone into bat, literally, for Australia’s under-fire top order after another lacklustre performance in the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada.
Usman Khawaja was trapped in front on 16 before fellow opener Sam Konstas was caught behind on 25, while Cameron Green was caught in the gully for 26.
Once again Carey and all-rounder Beau Webster were left to pick up the pieces with the pair putting on 112 before Carey was caught at mid-wicket for 63.
The South Australian felt that the side’s opening pair of Khawaja and Konstas showed great intent and that the Aussies were in a great position at stumps on Day 1.
“I thought the openers started really well today and we did lose a couple of wickets there and all of a sudden we're 2/50,” Carey told SEN Cricket.
“But I thought Usman and especially Sam Konstas - his intent was fantastic. I thought he really looked the part out there today.
“Then Cam Green came in and did the same thing, obviously on the stroke of lunch. Had great intent, played good shots. Again, he looked really solid.
“They're promising signs. Hopefully they (can) score big runs.
“It has been tough for the top order, I certainly do acknowledge that and I thought they got us off to a positive start.”
Carey felt the 286 the Aussies put on was even more impressive given the returning Steve Smith fell for just 3.
“Steve Smith missed out today, he doesn't always do that,” he added.
“He’ll be looking to bounce back from his innings, first hit after a finger injury.
“He’s high-class and I guess 280 with no impact from Steve is not a bad position.”
Carey’s partnership with Webster was the second time this series the pair have dug Australia out of a deep hole.
In the first Test, the tourists were reeling at 4/65 before Carey and Webster both posted scores of 60 plus to eventually lift Australia to 310 and ultimately put them in a winning position.
Carey said that whilst the batting order might have still left a few runs out there, the middle a lower order had done a fantastic job to resurrect the innings after being 5/110 on a difficult wicket.
“Not much going through my head. It's just been watch the ball and react and try to show good intent.
“I thought ‘Slug’ (Webster) built his innings really well. To form a partnership and get us over 200 and then the tail played really well with Slug as well.
“He didn't get wound up in the situation either. He just went about his business.
“We saw Pat Cummins' dismissal today, that's 50 overs in and it stays low.
“There was enough movement there early for sure.
“My process doesn't really change what the wicket is, same with Trav (Head) and Beau.
“Like I said, there's probably an opportunity for a few more runs, but at 5/100, you're probably going to sign up for over 280.”
The Aussies will take the ball to start Day 2 which kicks off at midnight on Friday.
You can hear all the action with SEN Cricket LIVE across the SEN network.
Image from Associated Press.
