Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey has finally opened up about the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s and said he would do it again if the opportunity arose.

Carey recalled his first match in Premier Cricket when he was dismissed in the similar fashion as a 15-year-old.

“I’ve definitely been out to that a few times, and I’ve tried to do it (to batters) in the past as well,” Carey told reporters in Manchester.

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“My first A-grade game in South Australia, I was out that way. When I walked off, I was pretty disappointed.

“Captain came up to me, he said, ‘You’ll remember to keep your foot behind the line next time.’”

Carey also confirmed that the Australian team had identified Bairstow’s tendency to leave his crease before the ball was dead.

“Obviously his first movement was pretty much out of his crease, so instinctively I grabbed the ball, threw the stumps down and the rest is history, as they say,” Carey said.

“He’s a fantastic player, and obviously a big wicket in that match.

“As soon as I got it, I threw it straightaway. And then I guess once the bails come off, it’s up to the third umpire to deem it out or not out.”

Carey sparked a ‘Spirit of Cricket’ row that drew in the prime ministers of both nations when he stumped Bairstow after the Englishman was punished for stepping out of his crease during the second test at Lord’s last month.

Carey has been targetted by the England crowd and at Headingley a group of Leeds spectators on the Western Terrace removed their footwear and chanted, “Shoes off if you hate Carey.” The wicketkeeper confessed that he even hummed along with the jeers.

“It is the Ashes, we’ve got to remember,” Carey said.

“There’s some nasty stuff being said, but there was nasty stuff said before that as well.

“I feel really well supported, I think the whole group does. I still think we’ve got lots of fans from England. I don’t think we’ve made any, but we probably didn’t lose any either.”

Carey also revealed that former England captain Alastair Cook had apologised after spreading a false rumour claiming the wicketkeeper didn’t pay for a $57 haircut in Leeds.

“I found it I guess a little bit amusing to start off with,” Carey laughed.

“Wasn’t sure if it was fake news or not. But yeah, the hair hasn’t been cut since we were down in London. It’s definitely due for a trim.

“I’m not that tight. I have been told I’m pretty tight, but not that tight.

“(Cook) reached out and apologised, so it was nice to hear from him.”

The fourth Ahes Test will get underway at Old Trafford on Wednesday.