Australia’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey smashed his maiden Ashes hundred when he hit the ball over cover and took three runs off Ben Stokes in the third Test against England at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Wednesday (December 17).

It was a very special hundred as Alex Carey came on to bat at a difficult moment when Australia had just lost two wickets in quick succession and were under pressure. He stepped up and changed the course of the game, putting Australia back in control against England.

Alex Carey shines under pressure to reach maiden Ashes hundred in Adelaide

When Carey reached his first Ashes century, the entire Adelaide Oval crowd stood and applauded him. His team-mates applauded him in the dressing room as it was a well-deserved win and he showed patience, grace and determination against England.

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After reaching the milestone in the ongoing third Ashes Test 2025-26, Carey took off his helmet to greet the home crowd and Mitchell Starc came to hug him and congratulate him.

Alex Carey dedicates maiden Ashes Test ton to late father; crowds in tears

It was an emotional moment for the Australian wicketkeeper and his family, with Carey looking to the sky to dedicate the innings to his late father, who passed away in September 2025 after a battle with leukaemia.

As Carey stood there soaking it all in, his wife Eloise was in the stands and couldn’t help but shed tears as she watched him achieve this special milestone in front of the home crowd. He became the fourth Australian wicketkeeper to score an Ashes hundreds.

“This is for your dad!”

It was a great moment when hometown hero Alex Carey lifted 100 points.#ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/aEdfwRedz5

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2025

Alex Carey looks to the sky during Virgin Ashes centenary celebrations. In September, his father died of leukemia. His partner was also in tears in the crowd. What a player he has become. @SEN_cricket @1116sen

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) December 17, 2025

Kaili’s wife burst into tears 🤍

– One of the most underrated Test batsmen, Alex Carey. pic.twitter.com/avBAGrQR1p

——Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 17, 2025

Adam Gilchrist pays tribute to Alex Carey after thrilling Ashes hundred in Adelaide

Meanwhile, legendary Australia goalkeeper Adam Gilchrist has heaped praise on Alex Carey after his special milestone at Adelaide Oval. Gilchrist described the knock as a special moment that occurred in front of his family, friends and hometown crowd.

Adam Gilchrist at Kayo Sports The program said: “It’s an exciting hundred for a great cricketer. It’s his third in Test cricket. It’s his first in the Ashes. That’s for you, dad. He put on the gloves and did well in Brisbane and next level of competition, he brought the bat to his home ground. What a magical moment on an amazing cricket ground to achieve so many extraordinary feats, one that will last forever, the Ashes Centenary.”

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Carey’s “Ashes” ultimately ended in disappointment;

However, Carey’s innings ended in an unfortunate manner. Will Jacks bowls a slightly shorter delivery outside the stumps. Carey tried to attack, but the timing was bad. The ball popped softly off the top edge and came close to the pitch, where England goalkeeper Jamie Smith moved quickly and caught it with ease.

When Carey returned after scoring 106 runs off 143 balls, hitting eight fours and one six, the Adelaide Oval gave him a standing ovation for his superb batting in the ongoing third 2025-26 Ashes Test.

Remarkably, Carey began his career as a talented footballer in Greater Western Sydney before returning to South Australia to focus entirely on cricket, and it was then that his father became the perfect coach and mentor for him. The goalkeeper has repeatedly acknowledged the role his father played in his career.

In 46 games, Carey scored 2,205 runs at an average of over 36 and earned him 12 half-centuries. In the Ashes, he has scored 578 runs so far at an average of 27.52 and has crossed the 50-run mark in four innings in 13 matches against England.