Alex Carey Admits Edge After Surviving Review To Score Ashes Century

Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey has admitted he believed he edged the ball during a controversial review moment on day one of the third Ashes Test against England — a moment that proved pivotal as he went on to score a superb century.

Carey survived on 72 after England appealed confidently for a caught-behind decision off Josh Tongue. Although technology showed a clear spike when England reviewed the on-field call, TV footage suggested the sound occurred before the ball reached the bat. The third umpire ruled in Carey’s favour, giving him not out.

Capitalising fully on the reprieve, Carey went on to score a composed 106, helping Australia close the day on 326-8 in Adelaide.

Speaking after play, the Australian wicketkeeper was candid about what he felt in the moment.

“I thought there was a feather or some sort of noise when it passed the bat,” Carey said.
“If I was given out I think I would have reviewed it, probably not confidently. It was a nice sound as it passed the bat.”

The incident has once again reignited debate around Snicko, the audio technology used to detect edges in Australia. Questions over its reliability have persisted throughout the Ashes series, with several contentious moments already drawing criticism.

Earlier in the series, England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was controversially given out in Perth despite the spike appearing after the ball had passed his bat and glove. Officials later explained this was due to a two-frame delay between sound and video in the Australian broadcast system.

England bowling coach David Saker suggested the latest Carey incident could be escalated further.

“I don’t think we’ve done anything about it so far but after today, maybe that might go a bit further,” Saker said.
“There have been concerns about it for the whole series. We shouldn’t be talking about this after a day’s play — it should just be better than that.”

BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew was even more critical, stating that the technology appeared flawed.

“It was a proper spike and appeared this time before the bat. It couldn’t have been anything else,” Agnew said.
“The software isn’t working right. Carey should have been out caught behind.”

Despite the controversy, Carey accepted the moment as part of the game.

“Snicko obviously didn’t line up. It is just the way cricket goes — sometimes you have a bit of luck,” he said.
“Maybe it went my way.”

When asked if he considers himself a ‘walker’ — a batter who leaves the field if they believe they are out — Carey joked, “clearly not.”

Beyond the technology debate, Carey’s century carried deep emotional significance. It was his first Ashes hundred and came just months after the death of his father in September. Playing on his home ground, Carey was visibly moved as the Adelaide crowd chanted his name while his family watched from the stands.

“To make a hundred here in front of home fans and family was special,” Carey said.
“I guess you know as well why I was looking to the heavens. I’m trying not to tear up.”

While England may feel aggrieved, Carey’s innings once again underlined a familiar Ashes truth — controversial moments often shape careers, sessions and series. For Australia, luck met opportunity. For England, frustration met unanswered questions about technology that continues to dominate headlines.

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