His first love was football. But destiny had some other plans for him.
When football didn’t happen, he made his way into cricket. And now he is the safest keeper behind the wickets and a reliable bat for Australia.
We are talking about Alex Carey!
Here’s a look at Alex Carey’s year-wise batting performance in Test cricket.
Alex Carey Test Runs Year-wise
| Year | Matches | Innings | Runs | Avg | SR | High Score | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 5 | 97 | 19.40 | 45.97 | 51 | 0/1 |
| 2022 | 10 | 14 | 536 | 48.73 | 61.26 | 111 | 1/2 |
| 2023 | 12 | 20 | 461 | 24.26 | 54.88 | 66* | 0/3 |
| 2024 | 9 | 15 | 440 | 33.85 | 72.73 | 98* | 0/3 |
| 2025 | 11 | 17 | 767 | 47.94 | 75.94 | 156 | 2/4 |
| 2026 | 3 | 5 | 86 | 21.50 | 52.76 | 30 | 0/0 |
| Overall | 48 | 76 | 2387 | 35.10 | 64.44 | 156 | 3/13 |
Key Insights on Alex Carey Test Runs by Year
Carey’s Debut Phase and Maiden Century in Test Cricket
Carey’s Test debut was slightly unexpected as Tim Paine had occupied the lone keeping spot. But once Paine stepped down, it opened up an opportunity for Carey in the 2021-22 Ashes.
His first Test was in Brisbane, although not a memorable one with the bat, managing 12 and 9 in two innings.
In 2022, Carey showed satisfactory returns. He scored 536 runs in 14 innings, the third-most by a wicketkeeper and the sixth-most by an Australian in 2022.
His average of 48.72 was the fifth-highest by an Australian batter in Tests in 2022 (minimum 10 innings).
Carey ended 2022 with his maiden Test century. He scored 111 against South Africa in the second innings of the Melbourne Test. This was the first Test century by an Australian wicketkeeper since 2013.
Inconsistency and Match-Winning Knocks
Carey wasn’t as consistent in 2023. He managed 461 runs at an average of 24.26 in 20 innings.
His average of 24.26 was the second-lowest by any batter in Tests in 2023 (minimum 15 innings).
Meanwhile, Carey finished as the sixth-highest run-getter for Australia in the 2021-23 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. He aggregated 803 runs at an average of 34.91 in 27 innings.
He was slightly better in 2024, although not as consistent as he would’ve loved to be. He collected 440 runs at an average of 33.84 in 15 innings.
Carey’s average of 33.84 was the third-best by an Australian batter in Tests in 2024 (minimum 15 innings). And his 440 runs were the fourth-most among his countrymen.
Carey also came close to his second Test hundred in 2024. But he was left stranded on 98* against New Zealand in the Christchurch Test.
Carey’s Peak Form and Overseas Batting Records
Carey was at his best in 2025. He scored 767 runs at an average of 47.93 in 17 innings.
His 767 runs were the second-most for Australia and, overall, the sixth-most by any batter in Tests in 2025.
His run tally included two centuries, the joint most by a wicketkeeper-batter in 2025.
He also struck the second-highest individual score as a wicketkeeper in 2025, getting 156 against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Carey’s 156 is the third-highest individual score by an Australian wicketkeeper in an overseas Test and, overall, the fifth-highest in the format.
Carey’s average of 47.93 was the fifth-highest by any batter in Tests in 2025 (minimum 15 innings).
The right-hander top-scored as a wicketkeeper in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, with 1020 runs at an average of 35.17 in 32 innings.
Overall, Carey was the fourth-highest run-scorer for Australia in the 2023-25 WTC cycle.
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