Carey acknowledges underperformance amid batting crisis

The conversations have been had and now it’s time to do the talking.

That’s the narrative coming from Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey ahead of the third and deciding Test against South Africa which kicks off on Tuesday night (AEDT).

Carey and his Aussie teammates, particularly the batting group, must bounce back in Cape Town after failing dismally in the innings and 31-run defeat in Gqeberha.

He says they’ve had the chats required for their mindset. Now they must let their batting do the talking.

“I’m not sure about soul-searching, I know we’re after some runs,” Carey told Bharat Sundaresan on SEN Cricket.

“But as a group we’ve reflected, we’ve spoken about it, which you do in live time during the game as well.

“I guess for us the talking has been done and it’s now up to preparations and then getting out there and speaking with the bat in hand, that’s the most important thing.”

Carey acknowledges inconsistency throughout the batting order, not just at the top where a lot of the criticism has been pointed.

He says they’ve now moved on from the St George’s Park dismantling and are ready to bounce back.

“I think there’s been inconsistency throughout the order, not just putting it on the top,” he added.

“Guys through 5, 6, 7 also want to play a match-winning innings. As a collective we understand that we didn’t play good enough, simple as that.

“Against world-class bowling we’ve got to be better, and we’ve got to be better for longer. Now it’s about getting out there and doing it. We can talk about it as a batting group, we’ve accepted it, you do have to move on at some point and that’s now.

“It’s preparation time and getting ready for Tuesday (the priority).”

Carey’s back-up keeper Sam Harper was seen fielding without the gloves at training on the weekend which suggested to some onlookers that he could be set for a Test debut as a batter.

But Carey, despite praising Harper, stopped short of confirming that.

“We’ve seen his development over the last couple of years, playing against him in Shield cricket,” he said of the Victorian.

“The energy that he brings to a tour like this. I get it as well, I don’t always have the gloves on my hands so you get out there and run around in the field and bring the energy there.

“He’s been fantastic around the group, and as mentioned his development has been there for everyone to see.”

As for the series itself, Carey said it is set up perfectly for a grandstand finish.

“It sets up really well for a spectator, and as players we’re excited and keen to get out there and play,” Carey concluded.

“1-1, we’ve played some good cricket, we’ve got some areas to improve and this is another opportunity to do that.”