'He was outstanding' - Eoin Morgan lauds Alex Carey for crucial knock in first Ashes Test

Australia gave a strong reply to England’s first innings score of 393/8d on Day 2 of the first Ashes Test as they were on 311/5 at stumps. Usman Khawaja led the fightback as he notched up his first Test hundred in England and remained unbeaten on 126. He got good support from Alex Carey who also scored an unbeaten 52 at the end of the day and added 91 runs for the sixth wicket.

Following the end of the day’s play, former England cricketer Eoin Morgan lauded Carey for his brilliant fifty and said that he shifted the balance in Australia’s favour at the end of the day’s play.  

"I think it has been Australia's day. I would rather be sat in Australia's changing room right now and the difference for me has been Carey. You always expect an Australian to grind out some runs on this wicket. That impetus late on in the day and leading momentum into when the new ball came in from Khawaja and Carey was outstanding," Morgan told Sky Sports.

Earlier in the day, Australia were put on the backfoot courtesy of Stuart Broad’s double-wicket over. The veteran seamer once again tormented the opener David Warner and dismissed him as the batter got an inside edge that hit back onto his stumps.

Australia trailing by 82 on Day 2

Broad further dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for a golden duck as he ran in amid a rousing roar from the Edgbaston crowd. There was more joy for England as their skipper Ben Stokes got the prized scalp of Steve Smith to leave Australia reeling at 67/3.

After a flurry of wickets, Khawaja held one end and built on his innings. He was well supported by Travis Head (50), Cameron Green (38) and Carey (unbeaten 52) who got involved in crucial partnerships with the opener and helped Australia cross the 300-run mark with five wickets in hand.