It was the 32-year-old Test wicketkeeper's first 50-over game since being dropped from the Australian side at last year's World Cup in India and he had a day to remember.
Five of Carey's catches were taken off the bowling of player of the match Jordan Buckingham, who finished with 6-41 in the Bulls' total of 218 at Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide on Wednesday.
The replay of Kez's catch, as promised � — West End Redbacks (@WestEndRedbacks) #MarshCup pic.twitter.com/Hmhx1mB45FFebruary 14, 2024
The Redbacks won by five wickets in the 45th over with Thomas Kelly blasting 81 off 66 deliveries and captain Nathan McSweeney (52) also superb.
Carey had earlier equalled the List A world record when he caught a skier to dismiss last man Matt Kuhnemann (36).
Carey finished the innings equal with two previous world record holders who achieved the feat in English County Cricket. The first to claim eight catches in an innings was Somerset 'keeper Derek Taylor in 1982. The feat was then achieved by Worcestershire gloveman James Pipe in 2021.
Carey's new mark is an Australia List A record on its own.
Former Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill had eight dismissals in an innings for NSW against a Cricket Australia XI in 2017, but two of them were stumpings.
Carey made the difficult look easy with his best catch a stunning diving effort down the leg side to dismiss Jack Wildermuth first ball off Buckingham.
Wildermuth got a good piece of a glance that seemed certain to be going to the boundary. Carey dived full length and with his left arm on the ground somehow managed to glove the ball cleanly.
He also took a well-judged running catch towards fine leg to get rid of Queensland skipper Marnus Labuschagne for 74 off 99 deliveries.
Five catches for Alex Carey as Marnus Labuschagne falls for 74. — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) Keep up with all the #MarshCup action on our live blog: https://t.co/xQJmbDDC7F pic.twitter.com/ztvfkh0PkgFebruary 14, 2024
Carey's heroics came amidst an incredible spell of fast bowling by Henry Thornton (2-20 off 10). Thornton had 2-7 off his first six overs, beating Labuschagne at least six times with deliveries that cut both ways. Thornton dropped a tough caught and bowled chance off Labuschagne when he was yet to reach double figures.
It took all of the Test No.3's skill to negotiate a spell that Glenn McGrath in his pomp would have been proud of.
The win was South Australia's first in the competition this season, though they and the Bulls were already out of contention to play in the final.
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