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Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey has broken his silence on the aftermath of the controversial run-out incident involving Jonny Bairstow during the Ashes 2023 series. Carey, who played a pivotal role in dismissing Bairstow during the second Test, recently revealed the extent of online abuse he and his family endured in the wake of the incident. Cricket Australia’s cyber police also conducted an investigation into the online harassment faced by the cricketer.
The Controversial Run-Out Incident
The incident in question occurred during the second Test match of the Ashes 2023 series when Bairstow ventured out of his crease after evading a bouncer from Cameron Green. Carey made a pinpoint throw to the stumps, resulting in the controversial dismissal of the English star. The incident triggered significant attention from cricket fans worldwide and led to a wave of online trolling aimed at the Australian wicketkeeper-batter.
Online Backlash and its Toll on Carey’s Family
Carey candidly shared how he and his family were subjected to severe online abuse from English cricket fans. He described the distressing experience of witnessing his loved ones receiving abusive messages simply because they were connected to him. The abuse prompted Carey to temporarily deactivate his social media accounts and refocus on his family’s well-being.
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“I didn’t really look into it much; I didn’t have to. I had a lot of people looking at it and monitoring it. You don’t really need to see them. A lot of comments got deleted. It did get pretty nasty from reports. Initially again, if your wife jumps online and you see (you) getting abused or even them getting abused for being your wife and kids, you probably don’t take it too well,” Carey said in an interview with West Australian.
Despite the initial shock, Carey emphasized that, with time, the situation gradually improved. He added: “But 24 hours or 48 hours after that, things simmer down and you understand you’ve done nothing wrong, and nothing changes. I actually deleted Instagram for a week or so and just put the phone down and focused on being present with the family.”
Ashes 2023 Conclusion
In the midst of this off-field turmoil, Australia managed to retain the Ashes in the 2023 series. The historic rivalry culminated in a 2-2 draw after a fiercely contested 5-match series, with Australia maintaining their hold on the prestigious trophy.
