Alex Carey hits emotional Ashes century three months after father's death on mixed day for Australia
ADELAIDE: Day one at the Adelaide Oval belonged to Alex Carey, with the hometown hero scoring an emotional hundred three months after his father's death.
Carey brought up the milestone late in the final session, before giving a nod to the sky to acknowledge his dad Gordon who died in September after a cancer battle.
The 34-year-old's wife Eloise was captured crying in the stands during an emotional moment for the family.
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Alex Carey looks to the sky after his ton. Getty
"An emotional hundred," Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
"A quality hundred by a quality bloke ... A magical moment."
Alex Carey's wife Eloise. Fox Cricket
Carey's effort was much needed for Australia, too, after he came in at 4-94.
It was a chaotic start to the day with Usman Khawaja's last-minute return turning into a rescue act for not only the team but likely his career, too.
The 38-year-old, who turns 39 on Thursday, was a late inclusion after Steve Smith's illness and scored 82 in the vice-captain's No.4 spot.
Khawaja came in to bat when Australia was 2-33 with Travis Head (10) and Jake Weatherald (18) failing to make the most of starts. The veteran and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the innings with the score 2-94 at lunch.
However, disaster struck again when Labuschagne (19) and Cameron Green (0) were both gone in the first over following the break.
Khawaja looked like he was on the way to a century that would silence all doubters until he swept Will Jacks with Josh Tongue taking the catch.
"It's a gift for England," Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.
Harry Brook would've been the man most satisfied to see Khawaja go, having dropped him on 5 earlier in the day.
Josh Inglis and Carey combined for 59 runs before Inglis (32) was bowled by Tongue.
Pat Cummins (13) followed when he was caught at short leg off Brydon Carse. The skipper reviewed the decision but Ultra Edge showed a spike.
Carey's innings came to an end on 106 when he skied a Jacks delivery which was caught by Jamie Smith.
Australia finished the day 8-326 with Mitchell Starc (33 not out) and Nathan Lyon (0 not out) keeping out the second new ball.
Jofra Archer had the best figures with 3-29.
