Alex Carey has backed Australia’s inexperienced bowling attack to defend any total ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 clash against South Africa on February 25.
Aussies came into the Champions Trophy missing the pacer trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis’ ODI retirement has taken away 5th bowling options for Australia as well.
However, Australia successfully chased 351 runs in their first group-stage match against England after Josh Inglis and Alex Carey stitched a successful partnership.
Speaking to the reporters, Carey was asked if the bowling lineup could defend big targets on the flat tracks in Pakistan.
The Wicketkeeper said that there was confidence in the bowling lineup despite the absence of the big three before the start of the tournament and the batters will try to support with big runs early on.
“Yeah, it’s a good question. Look it’s an inexperienced bowling attack; there’s no hiding away from that. In and around that we’ve got some experience with our leg spinner Adam Zampa.”
“We’ve got Glenn Maxwell who’s really smart with how he bowls. And we’ve got Steve Smith who’s a fantastic captain.”
“I think if we are to bat first throughout the tournament, I’ll back our boys to defend. Hopefully a good score of 300 plus, but if not, Nathan Ellis has got a lot of tricks, got a lot of good slow balls.”
“Spencer Johnson’s really damaging up the top, left arm seamer and so has Ben Dwarshuis, and you’ve got Sean Abbott ready to go as well so we’ve come into this tournament really confident that our bowling attack will still do a fantastic job without the big three – and hopefully as a batting group we can score as many runs and make it easy for our bowlers,” said Alex Carey.
With Stoinis’s absence, Australia depended on Maxwell, Matt Short, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head to shine with bat. Carey said that they doesn’t concern about missing a fifth option and praised Steve Smith’s captaincy for using bowlers to their strengths.
“Not concerning, look I think England played really well and I just think the other night I think whoever bowled it was going to be difficult in those conditions, so I think it’s a great chance to throw the ball around you know at times we might see Marnus bowl, Matt Short, Travis Head I think the way that Steve Smith uses the bowlers is a strength of ours.”
“Smudge is a great captain tactically and he reads the play really well. So, no, I’m still really confident with, you know, 50 overs of bowling, however that looks for us.”
“We’ll do a good job in trying to defend as much as possible and then if we are to bat first, try and take early wickets is a key. Defend through the middle and hold it tight at the end,” said Alex Carey.
Australia and South Africa is set to clash in the Champions Trophy campaign on February 25 in Rawalpindi.
