The Adelaide Oval I witnessed a moment of pure sporting theater on Day 1 of the third Ashes Test Alex Carey scored a magnificent, career-defining century. In front of a raucous home crowd, the Australian wicketkeeper rose to the occasion to record his third Test hundred and first in Ashes history. However, the significance of the innings transcended the scoreboard as Carey honored his late father with a poignant tribute that left the stadium and his family in tears in the stands.
An emotional face for Alex Carey
Coming into the crease against Australia looking to cement their lead in the series, Carey played with a mixture of trademark aggression and newfound composure. Carey’s home turf, Adelaide Oval, provided the perfect backdrop for his most clinical performance to date.
The crowd erupted when he reached triple figures, but the celebration was uncharacteristically silent for a moment as Carey took off his helmet and looked up at the heavens. It was a silent, powerful nod to his father, who passed away earlier this year. In commentary, the Australian legend Adam Gilchrist provided an emotional context for achievement. Gilchrist noted that it was Carey’s first international century since his personal loss and described the atmosphere as “deep” and “deeply moving”.
“This is for you dad” Gilchrist said in a statement.
Carey leads Australia’s comeback on Day 1 of the Adelaide Test
Carey’s masterful innings eventually ended on 106 off 143 balls, but not before he radically changed the complexion of the match. His departure left Australia at 321/8, which did not seem possible a day before his clinical intervention. Thanks to Carey’s heroics, the hosts completed their stunning Day 1 comeback, turning a precarious start into a formidable position of strength that firmly put the pressure back on the England side. Finally, Australia finished the opening day with 326/8 Mitchell Starc He was unbeaten in 33. Archer (3/29), Carse (2/70) and Will Jacks (2/105) was the pick of the bowlers.
Also WATCH: Ashes 2025-26: Zak Crawley takes a one-handed catch to dismiss Travis Head on Day 1 of the Adelaide Test
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Alex Carey.. amazing!! #Ash
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey, take a bloody bow. Stunning shots. What a player
— Neal Gardner (@Nealbackup) December 17, 2025
I think Alex Carey looked as good as anyone this summer…
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey shines in the middle for Australia with his third ton of 💯 in Tests#WTC27 #AUSvENG 📝: https://t.co/tPZVCGZI7D pic.twitter.com/WQWFtG0bWI
— ICC (@ICC) December 17, 2025
“This is for you dad!”
A great moment as hometown hero Alex Carey hits 100.#Ash | #Playoftheday | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/aEdfwRedz5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2025
ALEX CAREY IS ONE OF THE BEST ACTRESSES IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW. 🌟
– What a delightful player he is! pic.twitter.com/Z3CzYumf0M
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey is Australia’s best striker 🏏 pic.twitter.com/bAZeSfaXk8
– That’s Cricket (@thatscricketjm) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey is one of the most underrated cricketers I have ever seen. He always steps up to the big stage, makes runs when it matters most, delivers when others fail, often kicks his tail and takes the game away from the opposition. 🏏#Ashes2025 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/5a9S7BvHbc
— Osman Shaikh 🇮🇳 (@shaikhusman_7) December 17, 2025
A special tone for Alex Carey in front of the home crowd, not only because of the conditions of the game, but also for his father Gordon, who sadly lost his battle with leukemia in September. One of his best shots at the best time! 🙏🏼#AUSvENG #Ashes2025 pic.twitter.com/dNDo72gkKx
— Brain Talks Ball 🧠 (@BrainTalksBall) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey looks to the sky as the average girl celebrates the Ashes hundred. He lost his father to leukemia in September. His partner also broke down in tears in the crowd. What a football player he was. @SEN_Cricket @1116sen
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey walked in at 94/4, chaos everywhere with his Ashes hundred at 70+ SR. Clutch is a habit, not a word. #Ashes2025 pic.twitter.com/PwtObMzoKl
— Pankaj Agrawal (@iampankaj_007) December 17, 2025
FACED ASHES BY ALEX CAREY. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/O4z1Q7kdoI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 17, 2025
Tons for Alex Carey! Bloody great tattoo!! #ash pic.twitter.com/D2NMZOCXkkq
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey has paid tribute to his late father Gordon after he turned 100.
His wife’s reaction in the stands says it all. Family is everything#Ash pic.twitter.com/c7iUeUZ7Eg
— The Barmy Army of England 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey is truly a Clutch Player. Whenever Australia is in trouble, it always comes out. A true Hero of Australia. Very underrated pic.twitter.com/us6SHVXynm
— Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) December 17, 2025
Australia has never produced a better wicket-taking batsman in Test Cricket. I’ve never seen this guy Alex Carey not score in a game.#AUSvENG #Ash pic.twitter.com/ofFloXpRWE
— Dave (@AFC_Dev17) December 17, 2025
After years of playing in the shadow of Travis Head in Adelaide, Alex Carey is officially the king of South Australia, and in front of a record crowd. @TheAdelaideOval #Ash pic.twitter.com/aRg4l9leNc
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey broke down in tears after his wife scored 100 points pic.twitter.com/jPRYq37P9t
— 🦋 Sweta🦋 (@Sweta10t) December 17, 2025
Alex Carey can be called a crisis man, a savior, a fixer, he always stood up when the team was successful 7/10 times and on another day.
– A girl worthy of the Ashes in front of the house.
– unrealistic storage skills.
– He should have been in the team before Tim Pay. pic.twitter.com/Up3lMGiGsl— Sakthi (@sakthi_sudhan) December 17, 2025
