India vs Australia: Alex Carey reacts after Allan Border slams Steve Smith for 'stupid' behaviour

Add as a preferred source on Google

Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey has reacted to Allan Border's "strong comments" on Steve Smith. The former Australia captain had lashed out on Smith for showing a thumbs up to Ravindra Jadeja after being beaten by the left-arm spinner who was later named Man of the Match in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur.

In the match, Smith was Australia's second highest run-scorer in the first innings with 37 runs. In the second innings he top-scored for the visitors and stayed unbeaten on 25 before India bundled out Australia for 91 to win the match by an innings and 132 runs.

Speaking on Fox Cricket after the match, Border slammed Smith’s on-field antics, and called for Australia to “play hard nose cricket” against Rohit Sharma's men.

“Play with a harder edge. I mean, we’re giving blokes the thumbs up when they’re beating us outside the off stump,” Border said on Saturday.

“What the hell is going on? That is just ridiculous.

“Don’t go stupid, but Australia play hard nose cricket.

“We’re even giving someone thumbs up … bloody hell.”

Carey has defended Smith, stating that the batting mainstay often does "all that stuff". He added that Smith has a cordial relationship with many players in the Indian team.

“He’s (Border) played many games of cricket over here and he’s a fantastic leader for Australia,” Carey said.

“I guess among the group, guys do it differently. We come up against these players a lot.

“He’s mates with a lot of them. And that’s the way he (Smith) plays. He does it in all situations. He plays around with his hands and does all that stuff. And I think that’s probably what gets him pretty focused.

“They’re obviously strong comments but, as a group, we believe in what we’re doing and come the second Test we’re ready to put a few learnings into place.”

The second Test match between India and Australia starts from February 17 in Delhi. A win in the match will see India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.