Ashes is all about heroes and villains: Alex Carey

Alex Carey's controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow riled up an entire nation, but it seems England can at least see a humourous side to it now.

Carey became public enemy No.1 in England when he threw down Bairstow's stumps in the 2023 Ashes at Lord's after the batter had strolled out of his crease thinking the over had finished.

The controversial incident sparked conversations about whether Australia were following the spirit of the game, further fuelling what was already a heated Ashes rivalry.

But with just days to go until the first Ashes Test in Perth, it seems both Australia and England were more than happy to play down the significance of the incident.

England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was less than 100m away from the green-tinged Perth Stadium wicket when he fielded a question about whether he had thought about what he would do in the same situation.

"Absolutely not," he said, before joking: "I think out here with the pace and bounce, I'd be too far back to actually hit the stumps.

"In the white-ball game, I'm useless at it, so I wouldn't even hit the stumps anyway."

The Perth chapter of the Barmy Army have promised not to hurl abuse at Carey or even boo him during the first Test.

"That's nice of them. I don't know if that will stand for the whole series," Carey said with a smile.

Whether the travelling English Barmy Army contingent will follow suit is doubtful, but Carey said Ashes series were all about heroes and villains.

"I think Ashes series growing up watching, you've got your heroes, you've got your villains - depends which side of the fence you sit on," Carey said.

"And that's what makes it so special, is that we've got amazing Australian fans supporting us, and you've got English fans supporting them, and whatever it looks like in between it makes for great viewing.

"I'm excited. Whatever it looks like for the whole group, not just myself, it should be amazing."