Alex Carey left bloodied by vicious bouncer as Australia make horror start to World Cup semi-final
Alex Carey's bravery has been lauded after battling through a jaw injury that required stitches to dig Australia out of an early hole in their World Cup semi final against England.
Carey, elevated to number five, strode to the wicket at 3-14 and shortly after was struck by a vicious Jofra Archer bouncer.
The delivery crashed into Carey's helmet, knocking it clean off his head and leaving a nasty cut on his jaw. The wound required treatment throughout Carey's innings, eventually being completely bandaged in scenes reminiscent of Rick McCosker's broken jaw at the MCG in the 1977 Centenary Test.
Alex Carey Getty
But Carey battled through the pain to post a fighting 46 in a 103-run stand with former skipper Steve Smith (85) that resurrected Australia's flailing innings.
The vice-captain's knock, which took his World Cup tally to 375 runs at an average of 62.50, drew universal praise.
The rescue mission was required after a vicious opening spell from England pacemen Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer put Australia immediately on the back foot.
After winning the toss, Australian captain Aaron Finch opted to bat first on what appeared to be a batting paradise, but was trapped in front first ball from Archer.
The golden duck was the fifth of Finch's career as he achieved an unenviable slice of history by becoming the first Australian opening batsman to be dismissed first ball in a World Cup fixture.
Australia's miserable start was soon compounded by the wickets of David Warner and World Cup debutant Peter Handscomb, both to the bowling of Woakes.
Finch became the first Australian opener to make a World Cup golden duck AAP
The horror start was a stark contrast to the previous World Cup meeting between the two sides which saw Finch and Warner pile on 123 for the opening wicket.
The horror collapse to open the semi-final reminded former Australian captain Mark Taylor of an equally deep previous World Cup semi-final hole the Aussies eventually climbed out of in 1996.
"It's reminding Heals and I of Chandigarh. We were 4/15 in that semi against the West Indies, so I think they're going alright," Taylor joked on Nine's coverage.
"It's obviously a terrible start from an Australian point of view, but the bowling has been excellent."
