5 players who have been the finds of 2019 in international cricket

3. Alex Carey

Alex Tyson Carey was considered as one of the weak links in the batting unit of Australia before the World Cup. Many cricket fans and experts demanded the selection of Matthew Wade instead of Carey. It was understandable too – Carey averaged 30.64 with a strike rate of about 83 in ODIs, before the big ICC tournament. However, the Australian selectors along with the team management backed him to come good.

And, the wicketkeeper-batsman did not disappoint either as he had a very successful World Cup. The 28-year-old accumulated 375 runs with an average of more than 62 and a strike rate of over 104. Despite batting at seven in most of the games, which is not a comfortable position for a batsman like him, Carey contributed well. When the likes of Aaron Finch, David Warner and Steve Smith failed against New Zealand, the southpaw stood tall for his team played a match-winning knock of 71 runs off just 72 balls. 

In the semi-final match against England, the Loxton-born displayed his mental strength and his determination. Chris Woakes along with Archer had triggered an early collapse and Carey was promoted to bat at five and arrest the collapse. He was hit at the helmet by a nasty bouncer off Jofra Archer and started bleeding through his chin. He did not give up and stitched a century stand with Steve Smith for the fifth wicket.