Former Australia captain-turned-commentator Ricky Ponting has perfectly foreseen wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey's wicket on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test between Australia and West Indies at The Gabba in Brisbane on Friday, January 26.
Carey restored to attacking style of batting as he took West Indies' bowling attack to the cleaners in hosts' first innings. The 32-year-old was batting on 65 (48) when Ponting observed how Alex Carey's eyes 'spinning a bit' in an attempt to hit every ball that came in his way.
"It looks like (Carey's) eyes are spinning a bit to me. He's in overdrive at the moment, wants to hit every ball." Ricky Ponting said on air.
Former Australia captain's prediction was spot on after Shamar Joseph delivered a length ball in the middle and Alex Carey pulled straight to the hands of Tagnarine Chanderpaul, who was standing at deep square leg.
Alex Carey walked out to bat when Australia were in shambolic situation with 54/5 as West Indies veteran pacer Kemar Roach triggered an early collapse in hosts' batting line-up.
However, Carey stitched a crucial 96-run partnership with Usman Khawaja to revive Australia's batting and take the team past 150-run mark. Wicketkeeper-batter's wicket was important one for West Indies as he was looking set to convert quick start into big scores.
Australia declare first innings at 289/9 with 22-run trail
Australia declared their first innings at 289/9 despite trailing by 22 runs against West Indies in the final Test of the two-match Test series in Brisbane. The visitors were bundled out for 311 on Day 2 after resuming their innings at 266/8 from previous day.
Kemar Roach's fiery spell put the hosts in a precarious situation with 54/5 in 11.2 overs. However, invaluable fifties from Usman Khawaja (75), Alex Carey (65) and Pat Cummins (64*) kept Australia's scoreboard ticking.
The 81-run partnership between Khawaja and Cummins for the eighth wicket to take the hosts 200-run mark in the first innings. After Khawaja's wicket, Australia skipper waged a lone battle and ensured that hosts post a decent total on the board before declaring the innings.
For West Indies, Alzarri Joseph led the bowling with four-wicket haul, while Kemar Roach scalped four wickets. Justin Greaves delivered an economical bowling as he conceded just 31 runs at an economy rate of 3.4 in nine overs.
