Two years after stumping Jonny Bairstow in controversial circumstances, Alex Carey was in the middle of another tricky moment in the middle at Lord’s
Admitting he panicked, South Africa’s David Bedingham was simply relieved not to have been given out obstructing the field.
Two years after his infamous stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s, Alex Carey could have been at the centre of another controversial moment at the home of cricket.
In the final over of the first session of day two on Thursday, Bedingham edged the ball into his pads.
Standing up to the stumps, Carey waited in preparation to claim the catch if the ball spilled out.
But before the Australian wicketkeeper could pounce, Bedingham grabbed the ball out and threw it away.
“I panicked big time,” Bedingham said.
“The umpire said, regardless, I think it was dead ball.
“But I think the way I dropped the ball, (then) picked up the ball came across a bit dodgy.
“I’m glad they just withdrew the appeal … I’m glad nothing happened out of it.
“The slip cordon told me don’t panic — but I panicked big-time in the moment.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins was unfazed about the incident.
“The umpires said it was dead ball first of all, but I think we probably would have withdrawn,” Cummins said when asked about the prospect of appealing for a dismissal.
Carey, and his Australian teammates, were booed and heckled by the usually mild-mannered MCC members back in 2023 when Bairstow was stumped wandering out of his crease on the final of the Ashes Test at Lord’s.
World Test Championship Final
June 11-15: South Africa v Australia, Lord’s
Broadcast exclusively on Prime Video in Australia. Sign up here for a 30-day free trial
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne
