AUS vs SA CT 2025: Why Does Alex Carey Feel They Would Have To Score 400?

Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey said that the way pitches are playing in Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, they might have to score 400 to feel safe while defending a total in day night games, where dew plays a major role in helping the fielding team. 

Speaking at the pre-match press conference on February 24 (Monday), ahead of the Australia vs South Africa clash in CT 2025, Carey said, “We might need to make 400 if we bat first. It's always good to play one day cricket when the scores are high. I expect throughout the tournament there will be some pretty high scores and if the dew does come in and set onto the ground it can be quite hard to defend.”

Though the Australians were able to chase down 352 against England in their opening encounter, they also conceded 351 and it exposed their bowling and the gap in it in terms of a fifth bowler.

Carey, though, feels that the absence of a proper fifth bowler, instead of being a liability, is rather an asset because they have a very tactical captain in Steve Smith, who knows how to use his part time bowlers. 

“I think it's a great chance to throw the ball around. You know at times we might see Marnus bowl, Matt Short, Travis Head I think the way that Steve Smith uses the bowlers is a strength of ours. Smudge is a great captain tactically and he reads the play really well,” he said.