Alex Carey’s memorable century on Day 1 of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval turned into an emotional moment for Australian cricket, as the wicketkeeper-batter dedicated his knock to his late father, who passed away last year.
Carey reached his hundred under immense pressure, coming in at a delicate stage of Australia’s innings following the absence of Steve Smith and a couple of quick wickets. As he raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd, television cameras showed Carey’s wife in tears in the stands, visibly moved by the significance of the moment.
The left-hander, often labelled as one of the most underrated Test batters in Australia’s line-up, produced a composed and authoritative innings. Calm in defence and assured in strokeplay, Carey wrestled momentum back for the hosts and guided them beyond the 300-run mark on a challenging day.
After completing his century, Carey made a heartfelt gesture by dedicating the innings to his late father, adding a deeply personal layer to what was already a crucial knock for Australia. The Adelaide crowd responded with a standing ovation, while teammates applauded warmly from the dressing room as Carey removed his helmet and soaked in the applause.
"That one is for you dad!"
A wonderful moment as the hometown hero Alex Carey brings up 100.#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/aEdfwRedz5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2025
Carey’s hundred was not about flamboyance but resilience, clarity of thought, and emotional strength. In a Test match already marked by tributes and sombre moments, his innings stood out as a powerful reminder of how sport often becomes a canvas for personal stories, grief, and quiet triumph.