Australia wicketkeeper survives Snicko drama to make rare Ashes hundred

Alex Carey survives scares to bring up maiden Ashes hundred

Carey came to bat after Jofra Archer jolted Australia with a double-strike with the first three balls after lunch on the first day at the Adelaide Oval. Australia were 94-4 at that point, but Usman Khawaja and Carey added 91 for the fifth wicket.

Having missed part of the first Test and the entirety of the second, a now-fit Khawaja was part of the Australian squad for the third. He was initially not picked in the XI, but Steve Smith’s last-minute illness resulted in Khawaja batting at No.4. He rose to the occasion with an innings of 82. Carey continued after Khawaja’s departure, adding 59, 27, and 50 for the next three wickets. However, the innings was not without scare.

When on 73, Carey tried to punch a short-pitched ball from Josh Tongue through cover point but missed. There was a noise, but the verdict was not out, and Ben Stokes reviewed. The snickometer did pick up the noise, but revealed that the spike, indicating the noise, had taken place before the ball made any contact with the bat.

Thus reprieved, Carey went on to score his first Ashes hundred, reaching the landmark with a cover-drive off Stokes for three runs. He fell for 106, trying to slog-sweep Will Jacks. Australia finished the day on 326-8 with Mitchell Starc (33) and Nathan Lyon (0) at the crease.

Ashes 2025-26, 3rd Test scorecard:

Wicketkeepers to score hundreds in the men’s Ashes