Former Australian skipper Mark Taylor has said that the contentious dismissal of Jonny Bairstow during the Lord’s Test has had a profound effect on Alex Carey’s performance. Australian wicketkeeper’s pivotal role in breaking the stumps with a precise throw when Bairstow inadvertently stepped out of the crease in the second Test sparked hostile reactions towards Carey, particularly at Headingley, Leeds. In protest, the crowd resorted to booing and even brandishing their shoes.
“His batting certainly has fallen away a bit throughout the series. Whether that’s fatigue or not, you can’t help but think it might have started with this incident. It’s his first Ashes tour in England and the crowd have been giving it to him. There was quite a bit after the incident. Every time he goes out to bat or keep now, he gets booed,” Taylor expressed during his interview with Channel 9.
“You won’t meet a nicer guy playing cricket in Australia at the moment than Alex Carey. I can’t help but think that might have impacted his performance over the last couple of Test matches,” Taylor added.
