In February 2025, Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey achieved a remarkable milestone in the history of Australian cricket. During the second Test of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium, Carey set a new record for the highest individual score by an Australian wicketkeeper-batter in Sri Lanka. Australian wicketkeeper-batters with the highest individual scores in Test matches in Sri Lanka:

• Alex Carey
• Ian Healy
• Adam Gilchrist

Alex Carey etches his name in history👏

A batting masterclass as he notches the highest individual score by an Australian wicketkeeper-batter in Sri Lanka.#SLvsAUS #AlexCarey pic.twitter.com/PqpoGWuCeg

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 8, 2025

Australia's Growth in Subcontinent Conditions 

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Australia has had difficult times playing in the subcontinent, generally not being able to come to terms with the spin-friendly wickets of the subcontinent, at least, the slow turning wickets there. However, players like Alex Carey would do their good part in rewriting that script for Australia. Such innings by Carey from Sri Lanka are evidence of how this team is learning to cope with the subcontinent conditions. These performances against tough bowling speaks volumes of the strength gaining in Australia's batting lineup to put a composed performance in the matters involving spin.
The record-breaking knock of Carey is another important moment in Australian cricket. While big names like Steve Smith and David Warner often hog the limelight, contributions by players like Carey are becoming increasingly important for Australian cricket. He would go down in history not just for his crucial moment for the team but for generations of cricketers as an inspiration who will face challenges and adjust to the most trying conditions. It was a lesson in resilience and adaptability in order to achieve success at international levels.

The last day of the first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A at McKay ended in a big controversy. While the on-field umpires changed the ball, a legendary Australian wicketkeeper accused the visiting side of involving in ball tampering. 

India A are touring Australia for a two-match unofficial Test against Australia A and another match against the senior Indian national cricket team. 

India A lost the first unofficial Test

The first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A ended with a seven-wicket win for Australia A. After India A were all out for 107 runs, the hosts scored 195 runs. Starting their second innings trailing by 88 runs, India A scored 312 runs. 

While Australia A had a fourth innings target of 225 runs, they reached the target after losing three wickets. 

A ball was changed on the final day

During the fourth or final day of the unofficial Test match, the on-field umpires Ben Treloar and Shawn Craig changed a ball and brought a new ball. According to the reports, the umpires found some unnatural scratches on the ball. India A cricketers questioned the ball change. 

Although there is no serious accusation, Ishan Kishan has been warned for showing dissent. While the umpires didn’t award any penalty runs, which can happen if a team is involved in ball-tampering, Cricket Australia (CA) later clarified that the ball was changed due to “deterioration.”  

Ian Healy made a big comment

However, former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has claimed that the India A team tampered with the ball to earn the reverse swing earlier in the small fourth innings chase. 

Healy told SENQ, “When you see a team complain about a ball being changed, they were up to something. India A were gearing up for a big reverse swing session in order to get the Australians under pressure. Australia were chasing a small total and it just didn’t happen (for India A). The Australia A batters were oblivious to it. They just put their head down and performed really well.”

The 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering incident is still fresh in cricket fans' memory. It is famously known as “Sandpapergate” where then-Australian captain Steven Smith, then-vice-captain David Warner, and the main accused Cameron Bancroft were found guilty.