Claims that Alex Carey has become involved in a ‘breach of the spirit of hairdressing’ have been denied by Australia , who insist it’s all a case of mistaken identity.

In the latest strange twist to what has already been a bizarre tour, The Sun newspaper in the UK reported on Wednesday that Carey owed a Leeds barber for a $60 trim.

The story hit the headlines via former England captain Alastair Cook, who claimed on BBC radio he had visited the same hairdresser before day one of the Headingley Test and been told the tale.

According to The Sun, Carey had told the barber he was not carrying any cash after being informed bank cards were not accepted at the establishment.

Hairdresser Adam Mahmood was quoted as saying Carey had yet to return to pay up, and gave Australia’s wicketkeeper until Monday to balance his bill.

But team management insisted on Saturday that Carey had not had his hair cut since before the World Test Championship in early June.

Instead, it is believed a group of Australian players visited the barber in Leeds, and one had to pay via international money transfer on returning to the hotel as he was without cash.

The unnamed individual will return to the barber on Saturday with the receipt to clear up any confusion.

The story has been the talk of Australia’s team on a wet day three at Headingley, with Steve Smith posting on social media for The Sun to get their facts straight.

The hair-raising tale comes days after Carey was installed as public enemy No.1 in England following his controversial stumping of opposite number Jonny Bairstow in the second Test at Lord’s.

In a tour full of sledging, David Warner bore the brunt of online trolling from International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad on Saturday after the Aussie opener was dismissed the previous day for the 17th time by Broad’s son Stuart.

The ICC has been contacted for comment on the tweet, which has since been deleted.