Australia goalkeeper Alex Carey is heading into a Test summer with vigour, after scoring a fluent century to rescue South Australia in the Sheffield Shield on Friday.
Carey and star spin bowler Nathan Lyon put up a strong duel on the final day of the clash between South Australia and NSW, with the left-hander smashing 15 boundaries en route to a 132-ball hundred.
He was forced to come to the crease as the Redbacks slumped to 4-23 after Lyon removed Conor McInerney, nightwatchman Nathan McAndrew and Travis Head in quick succession.
Lyon’s three-wicket burst came after he took a five-wicket haul in the first innings, while Carey backed up a crucial 90 off 85 balls in the Redbacks’ first innings.
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At 4-179 midway through the second session, South Australia still needed 210 runs to win but had a chance to force a draw after Carey made amends for a crucial drop catch that put 19-year-old Sam Konstas on 105 for 0. It is done. Twin centuries in his fourth first-class game.
Carey was again supported by a solid innings from Redbacks captain Nathan McSweeney, who holds one hand on the coveted Australia A run against India A.
The 25-year-old was unbeaten on 58 off 130 balls after scoring 55 off 164 balls in the first innings.
After becoming the youngest player since Ricky Ponting in 1993 to score a double century in a Shield match, the impressive Konstas made his third catch with a sharp take under the helmet to remove McAndrew.
