Ashes 2021: Alex Carey dream debut – Alex Carey was at the centre of the attention after replacing under fire Tim Paine for the Ashes series. While not many expected him to live up to the expectations, Carey had a memorable outing behind the stumps with eight catches to surpass Rishabh Pant, becoming the first keeper to take eight catches on debut. Follow AUS vs ENG Ashes 2021 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The fast, bouncy pitch at the Gabba had everything for the fast bowlers and Alex Carey didn’t disappoint his new captain Tim Paine. Out of 20 English wickets, he contributed in eight dismissals. On Test debut against England in 2018, Rishabh Pant bagged seven catches in Nottingham as India won the match by 203 runs.
Ashes 2021: Tim Paine’s replacement Alex Carey shatters Rishabh Pant’s records in dream debut – Check out
Alex Carey reached the milestone when Chris Woakes nicked a Cameron Green delivery as England folded for 297 in the second innings. Australia chased down the 19-run target losing just a wicket to wrap up the 1st Test and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Alex Carey now holds the record for most catches on Test debut 👏 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/wQExhW1eJO
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 11, 2021
Apart from Rishabh Pant, he also went past England’s Chris Read, Australia’s Brian Taber to achieve the feat. Both had grabbed seven catches on their Test debut.
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting showered praise on Alex Carey. However, he expected a better batting display from Carey, who scored just 12 and 9 on debut.
Ashes 2021: Tim Paine’s replacement Alex Carey shatters Rishabh Pant’s records in dream debut – Check out
Also Read: Ashes 2021-22 LIVE: Nathan Lyon picks 400th Test wicket, only third Australian to reach the landmark
“He looked every part a test match keeper. The fact he came out and opened the batting in the second innings. A lot of people wouldn’t do that. Carey would have put his hand up, ‘give it to me, I’ll try to get the job done’. Unfortunately, he didn’t, but what a game for him on debut,” Ricky Ponting said.
As for most dismissals in a Test match, the record is shared between AB de Villiers, Rishabh Pant and Jack Russell. All three picked up 11 catches in a match.
Ashes 2021: Tim Paine’s replacement Alex Carey shatters Rishabh Pant’s records in dream debut – Check out
| Player | Country | Match | Versus | Ground | Caught |
| Russell, R C | England | 30-11-1995 | South Africa | Wanderers Stadium | 11 |
| de Villiers, A B | South Africa | 01-02-2013 | Pakistan | Wanderers Stadium | 11 |
| Pant, R R* | India | 06-12-2018 | Australia | Adelaide Oval | 11 |
| Taylor, R W | England | 15-02-1980 | India | Wankhede Stadium | 10 |
| Gilchrist, A C | Australia | 31-03-2000 | New Zealand | Seddon Park | 10 |
| Saha, W P* | India | 05-01-2018 | South Africa | Newlands | 10 |
| Sarfaraz Ahmed* | Pakistan | 11-01-2019 | South Africa | Wanderers Stadium | 10 |
Ashes 2021: Tim Paine’s replacement Alex Carey shatters Rishabh Pant’s records in dream debut – Check out
Editors pick
