Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey has admitted that Australia had a bit of luck on the first day (Wednesday, December 17) of the third Test against England in the Ashes 2025-26 series. Carey also said that as soon as the ball passed near his bat, there was a noise, and he also said that he is not one of those players who walks away after being hit by the ball.
Australia had a slight lead over England at stumps on the first day. Carey scored a memorable century before being out for 106. Usman Khawaja scored 82 after coming into the team late in place of the unwell Steven Smith. Joffra Archer was the best bowler for England with three wickets.
Alex Carey remained not out on 72 runs after being dismissed by Josh Tongue.
A new Snicko controversy emerged on opening day in Adelaide. Alex Carey survived an appeal from England when he was batting on 72. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and the slip cordon were convinced that they had heard a clear edge from a Josh Tongue delivery.
England reviewed the decision and Snikow showed a noticeable bounce. However, the sound came a few frames before the ball reached Carey’s bat. With the noise not clearly visible, the third umpire upheld the on-field call of not out, leaving England disappointed.
The incident became a major talking point, especially after Carey scored a century, bringing Snicko under scrutiny during the series. Till stumps, Australia has scored 326 runs at the loss of eight wickets in 83 overs.
There was something like a feather or some kind of noise – Alex Carey
Speaking at the press conference, Alex Carey said that the ball might have taken the edge of his bat, but the decision went in his favour. Carey said that as soon as the ball passed his bat, he heard a slight sound. Carrey admitted that there was a little luck involved in the decision, noting that Snicko had not lined up properly in the scenes.
Carey later admitted, “I thought there was a feather or some kind of noise as it passed the bat.” “It looked strange in the replay, didn’t it, the noise was coming a bit early. Had I been given out I think I would have reviewed it but probably not with confidence. It was a good sound as it went through the bat.
“Snicko obviously didn’t line up, did that. That’s how cricket works sometimes, you’ve got to have a bit of luck, and that’s probably what happened today for me.”
Asked if she was a “walker”, Carrey smiled and said: “Apparently not.”
“Are you a walker?”
Alex Carey addressed the controversial DRS decision, while England bowling coach David Secker also supported it: https://t.co/lDdlj94sEm pic.twitter.com/VjeRcoAPc2
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 17 December 2025
The boys were very confident Alex Carey hit it – David Secker
The incident occurred at a crucial moment, when Australia had lost six wickets for 245 runs in the first innings. The call went in Australia’s favour, leaving the visitors disappointed.
England’s bowling coach David Secker said the team was confident that Carey had edged the ball. He criticized Snicko’s reliability and said that the technology has been inconsistent throughout the series.
“The boys were pretty confident he hit it,” the Poms bowling coach said immediately after Carey’s press conference.
He added, “I think Snicko was out a lot, and that’s probably been the case for the series as well. I don’t remember the exact score, but it was a very important decision. Those things hurt… You would think in this day and age, you would hope the technology would be good enough to catch things like that.”
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