Why Carey's Adelaide century is so special

It’s the stuff of childhood dreams to score an Ashes century in front of your hometown crowd.

And on Wednesday, Alex Carey got to live that out in reality on his home deck of the Adelaide Oval.

The South Australian came into the game straight after lunch when Australia lost two wickets in the first over of the second session when they were situated on 4/94.

With Australia in somewhat of a bother, Carey, alongside Usman Khawaja, rattled off a 91-run partnership, helping the hosts recover.

And after Khawaja was dismissed for 82, the wicketkeeper would continue his innings to eventually score his third Test century with a packed-out Adelaide Oval erupting to celebrate one of their own.

While his innings didn’t last much longer, falling for 106, the 34-year-old said he was proud to have notched up the ton on his home deck.

“It was great to be out there with Mitch (Starc),” Carey told Fox Cricket post-game.

“To make 100 here in front of home fans and family was special, and I guess, you know, I was looking to the heavens.”

Carey would look to the heavens during his century celebrations to commemorate the achievement with his late father, Gordon, who passed away in September, with the cameras also showing Alex’s wife, Eloise, teary-eyed following it.

Reflecting on the moment, he admitted that it was a special moment to be able to share with his family in the crowd.

“I’m trying not to tear up,” he said.

“It was great and to have Mum, brother, sister, Eloise and the kids (there), it was a great moment.

“And as you mentioned, Dad played the biggest role, probably in my cricket. He coached me all the way through, as Dad's want to do, and sort of let me go once I got into my older teenage years.

“But he would always shoot a message (like) put the reverse sweep away, keep hard on me, but look, it was great.

“It was a special moment for myself, and for the family too, I reckon."

At the end of Day 1, Australia finds itself 8/326 as they look to keep England out on the field for as long as possible with temperatures set to hit 37 degrees on Thursday.

SEN Cricket’s coverage of Day 2 at the Adelaide Oval begins from 9am AEDT on Thursday with every ball LIVE across the SEN network.