“It’s always a warm welcome,” Carey said, smiling. “I think the guys kept their shoes on today.”

Following that game, Carey was subjected to at least one death threat via social media, and his family was also abused. The Western Terrace launched chants of “shoes off if you hate Carey”, among other unprintable taunts, and on BBC radio the former England captain Alastair Cook peddled a false story that the wicketkeeper had failed to pay for a haircut in Leeds.

All this had enough of an effect on Carey for teammates to worry about his welfare. He was undoubtedly a more harried and timid looking cricketer for the remainder of the Ashes and some subsequent assignments.

He was dropped after one game of the ODI World Cup, and did not return to something like his best until the final Test of the summer in New Zealand, where a superb innings of 98 delivered a victory in Christchurch.

Josh Inglis had secured his ODI place in the meantime, and it took a quad injury to the incumbent for Carey to take his place at Trent Bridge and now Headingley. He was a much clearer-headed cricketer this time around, with a combination of high skill and good thinking evident throughout his rearguard innings.

Australia were in desperate need of a steadier game after being sent in by Harry Brook and losing regular wickets on a dry, cracked surface that offered up swing, seam and spin under overcast morning skies.

Marsh offered the most resistance before Carey’s arrival, clubbing his way to 60 on the same ground where he made a comeback Test century last year. But Travis Head, Matt Short, Marnus Labuschagne and Hardie were all irritated to squander their starts.

Two wickets in as many balls for the otherwise expensive Brydon Carse, followed by a brief stay for Adam Zampa, dropped the tourists to 9-221, before Carey farmed the strike expertly in the company of last man Hazlewood.

They put on 49 together, of which Carey carved 41 from 38 balls with a trio of sixes that showcased his fast hands and drew groans from England fans. By the time he skewed a catch to deep backward point to be last out in the 45th over, Carey had given the Australians something to bowl at.

More than enough, it turned out, to secure a victory and keep the chants to a minimum. When Carey was named player of the match, all but a handful of spectators were already on their way home.