Smith’s glowing praise for Neser, Carey after Gabba win
The stand-in captain lauded the duo's brilliance for stepping up big time as the hosts marched to a comfortable eight-wicket win in the second Ashes Test.
Australia made it two wins in two in the ongoing Ashes series against England with another polished victory at the Gabba, and stand-in captain Steve Smith highlighted the impact of two key contributors, who made sure Australia stayed atop the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings with a perfect record.
Smith was impressed with Michael Neser through the Test, whose maiden Test five-for added depth and dynamism to Australia’s bowling performance across both innings.
Neser returned career-best figures of 5-42 in the second innings, including the key wickets of Zak Crawley & Ollie Pope in the final session of Day 3 and went on to dismiss the set pair of skipper Ben Stokes and Will Jacks early on Day 4 as England were bowled out for 241, setting a 65-run fourth innings target for the Aussies.
"What he [Neser] did today and in the first innings, was exceptional, I think. He offers something different to the other guys,” Smith said post the game.
“We can bring the keeper up to the stumps and change the game that way. And the way he bowled today and last night was exceptional. Really pleased for him to get his first five. He's been on a lot of tours. He's worked really hard.
"He obviously made our batting a little bit longer as well at number eight."
Smith then turned to another standout performer, Alex Carey, whose keeping up to the stumps played a decisive role in Australia’s control of the match.
Carey was often seen standing up to the stumps and that played a crucial role in dismissing Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes and Jamie Smith in the second innings. Smith described Carey’s glovework as one of the finest he has witnessed.
"He's a freak," Smith said.
"Honestly, up to the stumps, the ball just seems to end up in his hands. It hits the batter's pad or something, and still ends up in his hands. He's got no fear up there. He moves so well, and his gloves are just sensational.
“That was one of the best keeping performances, I think I've ever seen."
Reflecting on one of his personal highlights from the Test, Smith exclaimed that his sharp grab at slip to dismiss Jacks was right up there with the finest catches of his career. The 36-year-old lunged towards his left to grab an absolute peach to break the Stokes-Jacks partnership on Day 4.
His three catches in the second innings - five across the match - also saw him draw level with Rahul Dravid for the second-most Test catches by a fielder.
"It's got to be up there, I reckon.
"They're pretty tough when you got a pink ball, the lights are on, I'm blindsided by Alex. I'm standing quite wide because Alex covers so much room and then, yeah, just fortunately saw it late and got down to it and it's stuck.
“It was obviously at a crucial time to break that partnership. So, yeah, I'll remember that one."
Smith was once again on fire with the bat in the second innings, smashing 23* off 9 to take Australia over the line. He had earlier smashed 61 in the first innings to take the hosts to 511.
The third Ashes Test begins in Adelaide on Wednesday, December 17.
