WATCH: Alex Carey’s brain fade moment as he misses big run-out chance against Pakan | Cricket News
“I touched the stump,” uttered Alex Carey as the umpire went for a check upstairs.
Australia hadn’t picked a wicket and this was their greatest chance in the first Test against Pakan to do so on day two. Abdullah Shafique – playing at 39 – had fended a Nathan Lyon delivery at front foot. It went to Marnus Labuschagne at silly mid on and he was quick to throw it back to Carey behind the stumps with Shafique standing outside the crease.
The Aussie keeper however, was unable to take the bails off the stumps with Shafique’s foot not grounded, giving a lifeline to the Pakan opener in the first innings. Here’s how it unfolded:
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A bit to unpack here as Alex Carey comes ever-so-close to taking the bails off behind the stumps #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/QVQuo4pJJB
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 15, 2023
“He touched the stump, but the bails didn’t move. The bails didn’t come out of the groove and there was a moment where Shafique had his foot in the air,” explained Isa Guha on the Fox Cricket broadcast.
“It was a swift bit of work from Marnus. I think that would have been fair game,” remarked former Australian keeper batter Adam Gilchr.
The missed opportunity wouldn’t come back to haunt the hosts as Lyon removed Shafique not too later in the day.
Earlier, Australia posted 487 on the board before they were dismissed in the first innings at the Perth Stadium, courtesy of David Warner’s 164 and Mitchell Marsh adding 90.
Aamer Jamal playing his first Test nabbed six wickets for Pakan, who were 132/2 at Stumps.
“Probably would have liked to have a couple of wickets, but we’re happy with the score we got. We need to come back tomorrow and hit the right areas once again. We probably missed our lengths a bit, will have a chat tonight and come up better tomorrow. I think both teams would have wanted to bowl a bit fuller, the way Jamal bowled, stump-to-stump was terrific. The ball wobbled a little bit, I think we did a good job in keeping the runs down,” Carey said afterwards.
