On Day 1 of the third Ashes 2025-26 Test at Adelaide Oval, local boy Alex Carey turned out to be Australia’s saviour. Teaming up with Usman Khawaja, Carey rescued Australia after Jofra Archer’s double blow in first over of the second session. Carey went on to score his maiden Ashes century becoming only fourth Australian wicketkeeper to do so. The 34-year-old dedicated his maiden Ashes ton to his father who died of Leukemia in September 2025.
Carey said he rarely gets emotional but he could not hold it back after getting to his century. He also opened up on his father's impact on his cricket growing up and how he would not shy away from criticising him as an international player.
“I tried not to tear up, but I did," the 34-year-old said. “It is great to have mum, brother, sister, and the kids. It was a great moment.
“Dad played the biggest role in my cricket, coached me all the way through as dads want to do and sort of let me go once I got into my late teenage years.
“But would always shoot a message to put the reverse sweep away and be hard on me, but it was great. It was a special moment for me, but for the family too I reckon."
Carey wanted to bat a ‘bit longer’
Carey arrived at the crease when Australia were 94/4. Joining Usman Khawaja, Carey battled it out and also had a controversial decision go his way. They shared a 91-run partnership for the fifth wicket. He shared fifty-run partnerships with Josh Inglis and Mitchell Starc as well. The 34-year-old rues not going on to get an even bigger score as he was dismissed for 106 by Will Jacks.
"We were in a little bit of a sticky situation there straight after lunch as well. So to form a partnership with Uzzie and I guess keep us in the fixture … was great,” Carey said.
"I would have loved to have scored more runs and be there bit longer.
"But to be able to take the helmet off and look up to the heavens, it was a really nice moment."
At the end of Day 1, Australia were 326/8 from 83 overs. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon would look to get Australia closer to 400 on Day 2 of the third Test.