Speaking on BBC Test Match Special on day one of the third Ashes Test at Headingley, Cook relayed a story he had been told while getting his own haircut, suggesting that Carey had ducked out after a trim without paying, and was, to his knowledge, yet to fulfil his promise to pay.

“[The barber] said, he hasn’t paid,” Cook said. “It was one of those cash-only ones, and he promised he would have a transfer later in the day, and this was just before he shut. This is a true story, I’m not making it up.”

The story was picked up by The Sun, who spoke to the barber in question, Adam Mahmood, who revealed he was “still waiting” to be paid.

“Maybe he forgot,” Mahmood said. “I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt but if it’s not paid by Monday, I won’t be happy.”

A shocking revelation about Australia's Alex Carey! 😲#BBCCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/fzljpIdHho

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 6, 2023

Carey has become a pantomime villain among England fans following his controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s. Cricket Australia weren’t amused by the story casting more aspersions on his character, and acted to quash it. According to AAP journalist Scott Bailey, the Australian management has said that the claim is untrue, adding that Carey hasn’t had his hair cut since the World Test Championship final against India last month.

Further, another player reportedly visited Mahmood and paid via international transfer, and is likely to return with receipts to clear the confusion.

Cook has since apologised, also while speaking on TMS.

“There’s also been a bit of fuss around on a rainy day, a bit of news about a haircut which might have been discussed on radio the other day,” he said. “A case of mistaken identity, so I apologise for the mistaken identity to Alex Carey.”