Why Is Alex Carey's Valiant Knock A Tribute To MS Dhoni's Art Of Classic ODI Finishing?

Alex Carey's finishing skills reminded everyone of MS Dhoni [X]

Australia's wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey had a memorable outing with the bat as he slammed a magnificent knock to help his side post a respectable total in the ongoing second ODI against England at Headingley in Leeds. Coming at number six, Carey hammered 74 runs off only 67 deliveries, powering Australia to a defendable 270-run total in the high-voltage affair. 

England captain Harry Brook's decision to bowl first paid rich dividends for the hosts, as their bowlers chipped in with regular breakthroughs at crucial junctures of the game. After Matthew Short and Travis Head failed to convert their starts into impactful scores, Matthew Potts castled the legendary Steve Smith to push Australia down on the mat. 

The English spinners outfoxed the experienced duo of Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, while Marnus Labuschagne could manage only 19 runs before Jacob Bethell bamboozled him. 

How Did Alex Carey's Innings Ensure A Competitive Score For Australia?

As wickets kept tumbling at one end, Australia's keeper-batter Alex Carey showcased remarkable resilience to hold the fort for the visiting side. His 74-run knock not only helped the Aussies salvage their pride but also played a pivotal role in propelling them to a 270-run total. 

Despite missing a well-deserved century, Carey received massive applause from the cricket fraternity for his batting heroics. His incredible effort reminded fans of the legendary MS Dhoni, as he paced his innings exceptionally to stun the Englishmen in their backyard. 

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How Is Alex Carey's Magnificent Knock A Tribute To MS Dhoni?

The art of absorbing pressure

Initially an aggressor, MS Dhoni established himself as one of the finest finishers of all time due to his art of absorbing pressure. Alex Carey replicated Dhoni's game awareness by playing out several overs when Australia were under the pump following the early jitters. Unlike the experienced Glenn Maxwell, who threw away his wicket with a casual shot, Alex Carey strategically took some time to get his eyes in, frustrating the English bowlers with his temperament.  

The art of mixing caution with aggression

(Alex Carey's innings progression in first 30 deliveries)

Although Carey initially adopted a defensive approach, he didn't play too many dot balls. Instead, the southpaw kept the scoreboard ticking by rotating the strike, going run-a-ball in his first 15 deliveries. 

He respected the good balls while putting away the poor deliveries for boundaries. This act of mixing caution with aggression signified his ODI batting calibre, highlighting his finishing prowess in the 50-over format. 

The art of going berserk while batting with the tail

(A significant increase in Carey's boundary % after the 9th wicket)

After getting set, Carey gradually upped the ante, showing his adaptability and making the Englishmen pay for their casual deliveries. He initially focused on rotating the strike but changed his gear swiftly after Brydon Carse's twin strikes left Australia reeling at 219 for eight. 

As soon as Australia lost their ninth wicket in the form of Adam Zampa, Carey unleashed his beast mode to stun the hosts with his flamboyant stroke play. With a tail-ender batting at the other end, Carey tormented the English attack with precision in the slog overs. His fireworks were a testament to his hard-hitting prowess, drawing parallels with the legendary MS Dhoni. 

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