adelaide oval The first day of the third Ashes Test saw a moment of pure sporting theater alex carey Scored a brilliant, career-defining century. In front of a rousing home crowd, the Australian wicketkeeper produced a brilliant performance to reach the milestone, his third Test century and his first in Ashes history. However, the significance of the innings went beyond the scoreboard, as Carey delivered a touching tribute to his late father, bringing tears to the eyes of his family present in the stadium and in the stands.
An emotional century for Alex Carey
Coming to the crease with Australia looking to consolidate their dominance in the series, Carey played with a blend of trademark aggression and newfound composure. The Adelaide Oval, Carey’s home ground, provided the perfect backdrop for his most clinical performance to date.
The crowd erupted as he reached three points, but the celebration was unnaturally quiet for a moment as Carey took off his helmet and looked to the sky. It was a silent, powerful gesture to his father, who passed away earlier this year. On commentary, Australian legend adam gilchrist Provided emotional context to the achievement. Gilchrist noted that it was Carey’s first international century after personal loss, describing the atmosphere as “profound” and “deeply touching”.
“That’s for you dad,” Gilchrist said in the commentary.
Carey guides Australia’s comeback on day one of Adelaide Test
Carey’s excellent innings eventually ended on 106 runs from 143 balls, but not before he had fundamentally changed the complexion of the match. His departure left Australia’s score at 321/8, which had looked impossible earlier in the day before his medical intervention. Thanks to Carey’s heroics, the hosts have made a brilliant comeback on the first day, turning a shaky start into a position of strength that has put the pressure back on the English side. Ultimately, Australia ended the first day with 326/8 Mitchell Starc Not out on 33. For the visitors, Archer (3/29), Carse (2/70) and will jacks (2/105) was the best bowler.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Alex Carey..stunning!! #ash
-Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey, take a bloody bow. Great innings. What a player he is
– Neal Gardner (@Nealbackup) 17 December 2025
I believe Alex Carey is looking as good as anyone this summer…
– Rick Finlay (@RicFinlay) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey shines in the middle order for Australia with his third century in Tests#WTC27 #AUSvENG : https://t.co/tPZVCGZI7D pic.twitter.com/WQWFtG0bWI
– ICC (@ICC) 17 December 2025
“That’s for you daddy!”
An amazing moment as hometown hero Alex Carey completed 100.#ash , #PlayoftheDay , @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/aEdfwRedz5
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey – One of the best wicketkeeper batsmen in the world currently.
– What a gem of a player he is! pic.twitter.com/Z3CzYumf0M
– Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey is Australia’s best batsman pic.twitter.com/bAZeSfaXk8
– That’s Cricket (@thatscricketjm) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey is one of the most underrated cricketers I have seen. He always arrives on the big stage, scoring runs when it matters most, performing well when others fail, often batting with the tail end and taking the game away from the opposition.#Ashes2025 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/5a9S7BvHbc
– Usman Sheikh 🇮🇳 (@shaikhusman_7) 17 December 2025
A special shout-out to Alex Carey in front of his home crowd, not only because of the circumstances of the game but also for his father Gordon, who lost his battle with leukemia in September. One of his best innings at the best time!#AUSvENG #Ashes2025 pic.twitter.com/dNDo72gkKx
– Brain Talks Ball 🧠 (@BrainTalksBall) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey looks skyward as he celebrates his first Ashes century. He lost his father to leukemia in September. His companion in the crowd also had tears in his eyes. What a player he has become. @SEN_Cricket @1116sen
– Tom Morris (@tommorris32) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey departed at 94/4, there was chaos everywhere and walked out with an Ashes century at 70+ SR. Clutch is not a word, it’s a habit. #Ashes2025 pic.twitter.com/PwtObMzoKl
– Pankaj Aggarwal (@iampankaj_007) 17 December 2025
An Ashes century by Alex Carey. pic.twitter.com/O4z1Q7kdoI
– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) 17 December 2025
Ton’s up for Alex Carey!! Bloody great knocker!! #ash pic.twitter.com/D2NMZOCXkq
– Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) 17 December 2025
After completing the century, Alex Carey paid tribute to his late father Gordon.
His wife’s reaction in the stands says it all. Family is everything ❤️#ash pic.twitter.com/c7iUeUZ7Eg
– England’s Barmy Army 🏴Ԡ emotional 17 December 2025
Alex Carey is truly a clutch player. Whenever Australia is in trouble, it always performs well. Australia’s real hero. very underrated pic.twitter.com/us6SHVXynm
– Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) 17 December 2025
Has Australia ever produced a better wicketkeeper batsman in Test cricket? Have never seen this guy Alex Carey score in a game.#AUSvENG #ash pic.twitter.com/ofFloXpRWE
-Dev (@AFC_Dev17) 17 December 2025
After years of playing in the shadow of Travis Head in Adelaide, Alex Carey is now officially South Australian royalty and that too in front of a record crowd @TheAdelaideOval #ash pic.twitter.com/aRg4l9leNc
– Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey’s wife has tears in her eyes after scoring 100 runs pic.twitter.com/jPRYq37P9t
– 🦋 Sweta🦋 (@Sweta10t) 17 December 2025
Alex Carey has been a troubleshooter, a savior, a repairman, whatever, he has always stood up when the team needed him and on 7/10 occasions he has succeeded and lived through another day.
– Deserves the first Ashes century in front of home.
– The skill of keeping unrealistic.
– Should have been in the team before Tim Paine. pic.twitter.com/Up3lMGiGsl– Shakthi (@sakthi_sudhan) 17 December 2025
