“Just wait til Carey comes out.” The booing began before he even appeared, in fact. They were booing in the Western Terrace from the moment the umpires walked on to the field after tea. Without the benefit of the backstory, you might have supposed an entire stand of passionate England cricket fans were dissing their own team, the soundwaves reaching the fielders long before the Australian batting pair followed them on to the ground. Not unlike a ball leaving Alex Carey’s hands before Jonny Bairstow walked out of his crease.
“He’s not worth booing,” said Nick to his friend Annie. “I’m not wasting my breath.” He saved it for the chants, sung on loop like an only-the-hits radio station. Same old Aussies. That’s all you’re remembered for. Stand up if you hate Carey.
