In a lucky escape, Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey survived as a Shamar Joseph delivery went past the shot offered by him and hit the stumps but he remained not out as the bails remained on. The incident happened when West Indies were reeling at 24/4 after Keemar Roach bowled a sensational new ball spell. While Aussie batters like Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green all fell for single-digit scores, Travis Head went back for a golden duck.

Amid the challenging conditions for batting, Carey appeared to have some control. However, this particular Joseph delivery in the 15th over of the innings completely got the better of him. While it brushed the stumps on the way to the wicketkeeper-batter, the Windies players appealed assuming it was a caught behind given the sound the ball had made as it was the near the bat. However, umpire Nitin Menon did not raise his finger.

As replays confirmed, the ball had actually hit the top of off stump but as the bails remained undisturbed, the batter was given not out. The video of the incident went viral on social media. 

Take a look at it here:

The bail spun in its groove – but didn’t fall! 😱#AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/t6XgOibdqr

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 26, 2024

Carey, Cummins Score Fifties For Australia

After surviving what could easily have been a bowled dismissal on any other day, Carey went on to score 65 off 49 before eventually being dismissed by Joseph himself. Along with him, captain Pat Cummins also scored an unbeaten 64 off 73 as Australia decalared for 289/9 in the first innings, in response to the Men in Caribbean’s 311. Australia are already 1-0 up in the two-match series and would look to register a win at the Gabba in Brisbane to complete a 2-0 clean sweep in the series.

Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies in the Australian first innings as he finished with figures of 4/84. West Indies would now look to set up a challenging target for the hosts in the fourth innings and repeart or better their bowling performance from the first innings to try and square off the series.