Alex Carey's form decline in the Ashes could be linked to Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal: Mark Taylor

Former Australian skipper Mark Taylor has said that the contentious dismissal of Jonny Bairstow during the Lord's Test has had a profound effect on Alex Carey's performance. Australian wicketkeeper's pivotal role in breaking the stumps with a precise throw when Bairstow inadvertently stepped out of the crease in the second Test sparked hostile reactions towards Carey, particularly at Headingley, Leeds. In protest, the crowd resorted to booing and even brandishing their shoes.

The Ashes campaign began well for Carey as he notched up a half-century, but his form took a downturn subsequently. He has scored merely 13 runs in the third Test and 30 runs in the following two innings at Old Trafford and The Oval. Taylor feels that the dip in form could be attributed to either exhaustion or the negative aftermath of Bairstow's dismissal.

"His batting certainly has fallen away a bit throughout the series. Whether that's fatigue or not, you can’t help but think it might have started with this incident. It's his first Ashes tour in England and the crowd have been giving it to him. There was quite a bit after the incident. Every time he goes out to bat or keep now, he gets booed," Taylor expressed during his interview with Channel 9.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Taylor underscored that Carey is genuinely a gracious individual, and the crowd's treatment might have affected his recent Test performances.

"You won't meet a nicer guy playing cricket in Australia at the moment than Alex Carey. I can't help but think that might have impacted his performance over the last couple of Test matches," Taylor added.

In the ongoing Oval Test, Carey walked into bat after the dismissal of Mitchell Marsh at 151-5 but departed rather meekly, striking the ball directly to Ben Stokes at short cover. However, the tenacity of Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Todd Murphy assisted Australia in gaining a 12-run lead, with the team eventually being bundled out for 293 at the conclusion of day two.