Bloodied Carey's courageous Cup knock

A blood-stained Alex Carey courageously pushed through the pain barrier after a brutal blow to the chin from speedster Jofra Archer, leading a spirited Australian revival in their World Cup semi-final against England.

Promoted to No.5 after scoring more runs than any lower-order batsman in the history of the tournament, Carey got a rude introduction to life at the top when Archer’s searing lifter clocked at nearly 140kph smashed into his jaw.

Image Id: A62CF14A0EF648829435CD07D64FEC93 Image Caption: Carey was struck on the helmet by Archer // Getty Images

The force of the knock ripped his helmet right off his head, but the ever-collected former Australian rules footballer incredibly was poised enough to catch his own helmet.

Image Id: 08EEE34C1E5344E2B84800202F04843D Image Caption: Some quick thinking from Carey // Getty Images

Play was initially halted for several minutes while Australia's doctor Richard Saw and physio Dave Beakley repaired the damage. 

The duo then had to make numerous return trips to the middle to patch up Carey, who looked largely unfazed despite blood streaming from his chin.

Image Id: 4EB1F22691BC4CE791F9B3B44BAA0578 Image Caption: Carey receives treatment from the doctor // Getty Images

The left-hander eventually had tape wrapped around his head in a patchwork-style that evoked memories of Rick McCosker, who famously batted with a broken jaw in the 1977 Centenary Test.

With blood seeping through his bandage and staining his bright yellow shirt, Carey finally holed out off Adil Rashid’s leg-spin for 46 off 70 balls.

It ended a 103-run partnership between him and Steve Smith, who reached his fourth half-century of the tournament.

Image Id: 97DA2AF3DEAD4D02AE6967791C45808B Image Caption: Carey battled on bravely // Getty Images

Fears of a broken jaw for Carey eased when the Australian dressing room confirmed that Carey would be fine to keep wickets in the second innings, having had the cut stitched up by the medical staff during his innings.

Australia had been 3-14 when Carey arrived at the crease after ace opening pair Aaron Finch and David Warner, along with newcomer Peter Handscomb, all departed within the first 31 balls of the game.

Image Id: 68A79D287CDC4482A93C37159658EC6A Image Caption: Carey exits the field after his dismissal // Getty

Chris Woakes claimed two wickets and Archer one as the pair delivered electric opening spells that brought the parochial Edgbaston crowd to life.

Finch became the first captain in World Cup history to be out for a golden duck in a knockout game when he was trapped lbw, Warner edged to slip for nine, while Handscomb's scratchy 12-ball comeback knock was ended on four when he inside-edged onto his stumps.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs

June 12: Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs

June 15: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

June 20: Australia beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

June 25: Australia beat England by 64 runs

June 29: Australia beat New Zealand by 86 runs

July 6: Australia lost to South Africa by 10 runs

July 9: New Zealand beat India by 18 runs

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Australia v England, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, TBC v NZ, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE