Australia Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey has termed India's thrilling win over England in the fifth Test as 'spectacular', adding that pacer Mohammed Siraj's ability to move the old ball on the final day made the difference in the end.
With just 35 runs needed and four wickets in hand, England looked in prime position to clinch the game and seal the series 3-1. But pacer Siraj turned the match on its head by taking three wickets to guide India to a memorable six-wicket win and draw the series 2-2.
"I think the whole series was pretty entertaining - the way it finished was pretty spectacular. To see five Test matches go five days is pretty unique," Carey told Cricket Australia.
"Seeing Woaksey (Chris Woakes) walk out to bat was pretty courageous. I was probably backing them (England) to score the runs. I reckon once we saw Siraj bowl that first over (on day 5), there was quite a bit of movement with a 77-over old ball," he opined.
With England set to travel to Australia for the Ashes later this year, Carey said the home side will not make too many changes in the brand of cricket it plays, given that England have been playing 'Bazball' cricket --
"We probably don't have to go too far away from our style of cricket. When we were over there (England) last time in the Ashes, there was a lot of talk about their new style of play. We've seen it for a number of years now and there will be no surprises with it.
"We know the way that they play. Both teams have a good balance between grinding and going after them with certain players," said Carey.
Carey, who is recovering well from a concussion he suffered during the third Test against the West Indies in Jamaica, congratulated England batting mainstay Joe Root, who overtook Australian legend Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest Test run-getter after Sachin Tendulkar.
"I don't think he'll be feeling any pressure (in the Ashes). Congratulations to him as well (for passing Ponting), it's a fantastic career so far. No doubt, legends of the game want to do really well in every series and he'll be no different," said Carey.
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