Alex Carey’s journey in Test cricket has been anything but ordinary. Since debuting in 2021, he has worn many labels the quiet newcomer, the rising star, the struggler, the villain after his controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s in 2023, and now, in his hometown of Adelaide, a national hero.
On Tuesday, Carey’s name rang out across the Adelaide Oval, echoing through the stands, past the old scoreboard and the Moreton Bay Figs. It was a moment of triumph deeply personal, as he looked skyward in memory of his father, who passed away in September.
This was Carey’s third Test century and his first against England, an innings that showcased how far he has come. Four years ago, such composure and leadership might have been beyond him. Now, he is a confident figure, assured both with the bat and behind the stumps.
Walking in after lunch with Australia wobbling from a mini-collapse, Carey steadied the innings and ensured the team made full use of a strong day-one pitch. His strokeplay was bold yet measured, powerful through the off side and elegant through the leg. As the century neared, nerves crept in, but Carey held firm, leaving the field with the crisis averted and his side firmly in the contest.
At full flight, Carey is a joy to watch, and this innings was a reminder of his transformation from a player under fire to one embraced as a hero by his city and his nation.
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