A decade in the past profitable an AFL premiership was Alex Carey’s dream MCG situation.
But a rejection from teaching legend Kevin Sheedy adopted by a “bumpy” cricketing journey delivered the Australian keeper an additional satisfying reward within the type of a maiden check century he mentioned ought to give hope to believers all over the place.
Carey, now 31, was inaugural captain of the GWS Giants within the Under 18 TAC Cup, earlier than the growth membership made their AFL debut however delisted by Sheedy who informed him his future lay elsewhere.
A cricket second-coming for South Australia faltered early however the onerous work which has grow to be Carey’s trademark helped additional improve the plain abilities essential with the gloves, and the bat, to entrench his title in cricket historical past because the seventh keeper to achieve triple-figures in a saggy inexperienced.
“Yeah it’s a pretty special week. I have to probably thank Kevin Sheedy that it was a test 100 rather than a run around with GWS,” Carey mentioned as he beamed the smile of a century-maker within the bowels of the MCG.
“He pointed me in the cricket direction so yeah it was a really special day.
“I think it‘s one of those things you dream about, to be in a position to potentially do it and play for Australia. You work hard every day to perform as best you can.
“It’s been a bumpy journey along the way … footy not working out and cricket not working out after a few games.
“I never I guess gave up the hope of playing sport at the highest level and continue to try to chase that goal and dream so yeah, proud so far, but hopefully a bit more to come in my career.”
Carey’s efforts have been enhanced by embracing his “inner Punta” utilizing a bat emblazoned with the identical Kahuna stickers made well-known by former Test skipper Ricky Ponting.
But it was additionally an innings derived from all of the onerous work essential to grow to be the elite batter Carey has became, now averaging slightly below 40 in his quick but profitable 14-test profession.
“I think you obviously build confidence the more you play, you learn about your game. You work on your game. You try not to take any moment for granted,” Carey mentioned.
“So, again, I‘ll learn from the good and bad and it’s good fun at the moment.”
Carey additionally conceded it was a aid to shed the nightmare of his missed alternative in Pakistan, when he was bowled, by Babar Azam, on 93, forcing him to attend that little bit longer to realize his magic milestone.
“That randomly pops in my head when I‘m driving, why’d I play that shot and so it was nice to get through the nervous 70s 80s 90s,” he mentioned
“So yeah, it was good to have the ability to get that one off the again and hopefully it doesn’t come into my head an excessive amount of extra.
“I believe it‘s just one of those things. Never give up on what you want and hopefully it comes.
“I‘m just the lucky one that you know , it has come my way. “
Originally published as Alex Carey’s lengthy journey from AFL reject to test-century maker is full
