The plaudits came Alex Carey’s way on debut, but the Australia wicketkeeper has reserved his praise for state and national teammate Travis Head as the pair prepare for a home Test at Adelaide Oval.

Carey was tidy in his work to offspinner Nathan Lyon and, thanks to his relentless pacemen, collected a world record eight catches on debut in Australia’s nine-wicket win at the Gabba Ashes opener.

Former great Mark Waugh described Carey’s efforts as “one of the best debuts as a ‘keeper, just faultless” while Lyon himself said it was “incredible, but I’m not surprised by it”.

The mild-mannered Carey, who played for GWS in the NEAFL before quitting footy to focus on cricket, was typically modest though as he gushed over South Australian mate Head’s first innings 152.

He said the 27-year-old, who only prevailed in a line-ball selection call in favour of Usman Khawaja, had shown he could be among the world’s best batters after reaching his century in just 85 balls to put the hosts in complete control on day two.

Record smashed

It was the third-fastest Ashes century and first time a Test batter had scored 100 inside a session at the Gabba, coming with Australia teetering and Head’s own spot in the side under threat.

“The way he played, we absorbed a bit of the momentum and he took it right back and (when Carey was dismissed) kept going, backing his ability,” Carey, 30, said.

“There was a little bit of chatter about the way Travis plays.

“We’ve all seen when he gets away it’s unstoppable. You ride the highs, ride the lows.

“We’ve seen in Shield cricket for a number of years, he’ll make an amazing 30 and get out or he’ll make an amazing 150 … he’s a match-winner.”

Head was dropped mid-series in both of the past two Test years, but now boasts an average of 43.50 in 20 Tests.

“For Trav it’s not worrying about the external noise,” Carey said.

“He’ll continue to play the way he plays his best, if there’s a ball to hit he’ll hit it, park the scoreboard and not worry about it too much.

“We’ll move to Adelaide and he’s really excited … if we see more innings like that over the next 12 to 18 months he’s going to be one of the best players in the world.

“He’s really confident, playing beautifully, maturing as a person and a player.”

-AAP