Australia's star wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey has been on the receiving end of hate and backlash from England fans ever since he stumped Jonny Bairstow in Ashes 2023 2nd Test, reigniting the 'spirit of cricket' debate. Controversy erupted when Bairtsow, after ducking a short-pitched bouncer, bizarrely started walking towards the middle of the pitch, giving Aussie keeper Carey an opportunity to stump him out. Amidst all the hate and slanders, former English skipper Alastair Cook bizarrely accused Alex Carey of not playing for a haircut in London.
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While commentating on Day 2 of the ongoing England vs Australia Ashes 2023 3rd Test, Cook levelled a shocking allegation on Carey saying that the Australian once went to get a haircut at a barber shop in London -- the barber accepted only cash and Carey, who didn't have cash at the time, said he would transfer the money later, which he did not.
"[The barber] said, he hasn't paid. It was one of those cash-only ones, and he promised he would have a transfer later in the day, and this was just before he shut. This is a true story, I'm not making it up," Cook said while on commentary.
English tabloid, The Sun, later in one of their reports claimed that they interacted with the barber in question who confirmed that Carey didn't pay after getting a haircut. Later, Steve Smith slammed the tabloid for posting fake news. "I can confirm that Alex Carey has not had a haircut since we were in London. Get your facts right The Sun," wrote Smith.
Now, Cook has apologized for accusing Carey, saying that it was a case of mistaken identity.
"There's also been a bit of fuss around on a rainy day, a bit of news about a haircut which might have been discussed on radio the other day. A case of mistaken identity, so I apologise for the mistaken identity to Alex Carey," Cook said.