Carey was struck on the helmet on just the fifth ball he faced at Edgbaston on Thursday, copping the full force of a 139km/h bouncer from England quick Jofra Archer.

The hit left him requiring stitches, although Australian team officials have confirmed he has not suffered any structural damage and will be fit to keep wicket in the second innings.

Incredibly, he also managed to safeguard his wicket after being hit when he caught his helmet after it flew off his head and dropped towards the stumps. Play was stopped for several minutes as he required treatment, before team medical staff twice returned to the field to assist the vice-captain. With Australia in early trouble after they fell to 3-14, Carey continued his innings with bushranger-style taping around his head.

The left-hander also continued to sport a blood-stained shirt as a result of the blow.

He was instrumental in a 103-run stand with Steve Smith for the fourth wicket, going to 46 before he holed out at deep midwicket off Adil Rishid.

Carey’s bandaging is reminiscent of what McCosker wore in the 1977 Centenary Test when he returned to the field with a broken jaw at the MCG.

On that occasion McCosker hit 25 batting at No.10 in Australia’s second innings to help set up the victory, after he was struck by Bob Willis on the opening day.