Key Highlights
- Alex Carey expressed surprise over the Barmy Army’s pledge to not boo him this summer.
- The Perth chapter of the English fan base claims no plans to emulate their 2023 actions against Jonny Bairstow.
- Jamie Smith, likened to Adam Gilchrist, dismissed the possibility of stumping players in Perth due to the bounce on offer.
- Ashes rivalry is expected to see Carey and Smith’s battle as pivotal for the series.
The Ashes 2025/26: A Battle of Heroes and Villains
As the 2025/26 Ashes series prepares to heat up, Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey found himself in an unusual predicament. The Perth chapter of the Barmy Army, known for their passionate support of England’s cricket team, has surprisingly announced they have no plans to boo him this summer.
The revelation came as a shock to Carey, who had previously endured intense scrutiny and criticism following his performance during the second Test two years ago. “That’s nice of them,” Carey remarked, expressing uncertainty about the pledge’s validity across the entire series. “I don’t know if that will stand for the whole series.”
The Ashes Rivalry: Heroes and Villains
As always, the Ashes series is a battle between heroes and villains, with players often being identified as such depending on their team’s perspective. Carey understands this dynamic, explaining, “Ashes series growing up watching, you’ve got your heroes, you’ve got your villains. (It) depends which side of the fence you sit on.” He added, “And that’s what makes it so special, is that we’ve got amazing Australian fans supporting us, and you’ve got English fans supporting them.”
With a close series anticipated, Carey sees this as an opportunity for both players. “Whatever it looks like for the whole group, not just myself, it should be amazing,” he said excitedly.
The Battle of Smith vs. Carey
While Carey’s thoughts on the series rivalry were shared, Fox Cricket analyst Adam Gilchrist highlighted another crucial match-up: that between Jamie Smith and Alex Carey. Smith, a powerful wicketkeeper-batter compared to Adam Gilchrist, is making his first tour of Australia.
Smith’s approach was straightforward when asked about stumping players in Perth. “Absolutely not. I think out here with the pace and bounce, I’d be too far back to actually hit the stumps,” he stated, acknowledging the challenges posed by the local conditions.
Gilchrist noted that Carey is impressed with Smith’s game, highlighting his two centuries and six half-centuries in 15 Tests. “He looks like a great player. He is an exciting cricketer, again, and he does the job behind the stumps,” said Carey. “I think if you look across their whole squad, they have had a pretty quality 12 to 24 months, just as we have as well, so it is shaping up to be a great contest.”
Looking Ahead
The Ashes series is set to unfold in Perth with the opening Test beginning on Friday. As the battle between heroes and villains continues, fans will eagerly watch for the pivotal moments that could define this summer’s cricketing spectacle.
“If you put player to player on paper, it is a good contest,” Carey concluded, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting series.
