Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey admitted he thought he had edged the ball after being given not out on review during the opening day of the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide.
Carey was on 72 when England challenged the on-field decision, believing he had nicked a cut shot off Josh Tongue. Technology showed a significant spike, but officials ruled it occurred before the ball reached the bat, allowing Carey to continue.
Century After Controversial Moment
Capitalising on the reprieve, Carey went on to score a composed 106, steering Australia to 326 for eight at stumps in a crucial Test.
“I thought there was a feather or some sort of noise when it passed the bat,” Carey said. “If I was given out, I probably would have reviewed it, but not confidently.”
Snicko Under Scrutiny Again
The incident has reignited debate around the accuracy of edge-detection technology used in the series. England had earlier expressed concerns after similar incidents in previous Tests, including one involving wicketkeeper Jamie Smith in Perth.
England bowling coach David Saker suggested the matter could be taken up with match officials. “There have been concerns throughout the series,” he said. “We shouldn’t still be talking about this after a day’s play.”
Umpires Stand by Decision
Third umpire Chris Gaffaney ruled there was a visible gap between bat and ball despite the audio spike, resulting in Carey being given not out. The technology is provided by the host broadcaster, with known frame delays between sound and vision.
Emotional Milestone
Carey’s century was his first in Ashes cricket and came at an emotional time, following the death of his father earlier this year. The Adelaide crowd applauded warmly as Carey reached three figures, with family members present in the stands.
“To score a hundred here in front of home fans and family was special,” Carey said. “It meant a lot.”
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