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Carey holds on to all-time Shield record

Young Redbacks gloveman claims his 59th dismissal of the season, breaking the Sheffield Shield record

Alex Carey has eclipsed the record of one of his childhood heroes and joined a club started by Adam Gilchrist, after the South Australia wicketkeeper broke the all-time Sheffield Shield single-season dismissals record in Alice Springs.

With his sixth catch of the Shield final, a regulation edge from nighwatchman Chris Tremain on Wednesday, Carey completed his 59th dismissal of the season to go past the competition benchmark of 58 set by Queensland gloveman Wade Seccombe in 2000-01, and matched by his Bulls successor Chris Hartley in 2011-12.

Carey breaks Shield record with 59th dismissal

It’s a remarkable achievement for the 25-year-old, who’s in only his first full season with the Redbacks having replaced Tim Ludeman as their first-choice gloveman during last summer.

"It’s quite nice to be up with the quality of players likes Chris Hartley and those guys," Carey said on day three when he'd equalled Hartley and Seccombe’s record on day two of the decider.

"A lot goes towards the bowlers that’s for sure. 

"It’s not a bad season I guess."

Carey came into the Shield final against Victoria with a Redbacks record of 53 dismissals to his name and proceeded to accept five catches across the first two days of the match in Alice Springs.

While wicketkeeping statistics are difficult to get an accurate measure on, considering they are often only as good as the bowlers they play with, Carey’s tidy glovework has been acknowledged a number of good judges, including Hartley.

Only two of Carey’s catches in Victoria’s first-innings could reasonably be deemed as straightforward, with the others all requiring Carey to dive forward or across. His one-handed effort to remove Tremain in the first-innings for a duck was particularly impressive.

Carey admitted he was thrilled at the praise from Hartley, a player he’d counted as an one of his idols growing up alongside the legendary Adam Gilchrist and current Test ‘keeper Matthew Wade. 

"It’s pretty humbling, a guy like that speaking the words he did," Carey said in reference to Hartley’s praise.

"He’s a guy I looked up to coming through (junior ranks) as a left-hand batsman, along with Gilly and Matthew Wade."

Carey also showed his skill with the blade on day three with a vital half-century in the Redbacks’ first-innings, notching his 500th run for the Shield season.

Carey equals Shield record with five catches

In doing so becoming just the fourth player to complete the 50 dismissal, 500-run double in a Shield season; Gilchrist was the first player achieve the feat in 1995-96, Hartley is the only man to have do it multiple times (in 2008-09, 2011-12 and 2012-13), while Wade also managed it during the 2008-09 season.

By Carey’s own admission his dismissals record has a lot to do with the quality of South Australia’s pace attack this season, who have regularly found the edge of the bat.

But the competition’s leading wicket taker Chadd Sayers insisted his teammate has barely let a chance slip.

"I reckon he’s only dropped two catches for the whole season,” said Sayers, who’s fed Carey 20 of his 58 catches this summer, after play on day two.

"He’s had a great season. His glovework this year has been outstanding.

"He’s taken some hangers as well. It’s good to see him doing well."

The left-hander’s lower-order effort of 57 gave South Australia some hope of remaining in the hunt for the title, as they aim to take home the silverware for the first time in 21 years.

Carey scores crucial half-century

Carey was the only South Australia batsmen to consistently employ the sweep-shot to counter the threat of Jon Holland, who collected a devastating seven-wicket haul in their first dig at Traeger Park.

The left-hander’s slog-swept six off the spinner, the only maximum of the innings and comfortably the biggest hit of the match, was a stroke that would have made Gilchrist proud.

And like Gilchrist, Redbacks skipper Travis Head said Carey’s the type of player that has the ability to turn a match in quick time.

"He’s had a fantastic season,” Head said before the match. 

"He’s been fantastic in big moments in games. He’s bound to come out and change a game.

"He’s definitely a player that can come in and take the game away from you. He’s a very positive player and backs himself."

Most dismissals in a Sheffield Shield season

  • Alex Carey (SA) 2016-17 – 59 dismissals*
  • Wade Seccombe (QLD) 2000-01 – 58
  • Chris Hartley (QLD) 2011-12 – 58
  • Matthew Wade (VIC) 2008-09 – 57
  • Wade Seccombe (QLD) 1995-96 – 54
  • Adam Gilchrist (WA) 1996-97 – 54
  • Darren Berry (VIC) 1999-00 – 54
  • Adam Gilchrist (WA) 1995-96 – 54
  • Chris Hartley (QLD) 2008-09 – 54
  • Wade Seccombe (QLD) 1999-00 – 54