Sun Sep 29 13:41:55 UTC 2024: ## Australia Returns to Lord’s Amidst Ashes Row Fallout
**LONDON -** Australia will return to Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday for the first time since last year’s controversial Ashes series, with captain Mitchell Marsh downplaying the impact of the incident involving wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Carey’s controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow, where the England batsman walked out of his crease believing the ball was dead, sparked heated exchanges between the teams and ugly scenes in the Lord’s pavilion. Despite a dip in form during the final Ashes Tests, Carey has been a key player in the ongoing ODI series against England, contributing crucial innings at Headingley and Chester-le-Street.
While a victory at Lord’s would secure a 3-1 series lead for the 50-over world champions, Marsh insists that the team has moved on from the Ashes drama.
“We’ve really moved on from that,” Marsh said on Thursday. “These things happen in Ashes Test matches, there’s not a series that goes by that doesn’t have some sort of drama. Alex loves playing in England, we all do. The fans are always incredible and it’s always a tough challenge playing against England.”
Marsh added that Carey’s form with bat and gloves could see him retain his place despite the return of World Cup-winning wicketkeeper Josh Inglis.
The Australian team will be back at full strength after a tour plagued by illness, with key players Adam Zampa and Travis Head set to return at Lord’s.
“It would be massive (to have them back),” said Marsh. “We obviously know the last couple of years they’ve both had and just what they bring to our team from an experience point of view.”
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