Alex Carey scored first century of BBL|10 in massive Strikers score against Heat

Aussie legend Ricky Ponting has delivered a sheepish response to arguably the BBL innings of the season after dropping the axe.

Alex Carey finally broke the BBL's century hoodoo.

The Adelaide Strikers have claimed a monster 82-run win over the Brisbane Heat after wicketkeeper batsman Alex Carey finally scored the first century of BBL|10.

So far in the BBL season, five innings have been ended or left stranded in the nineties but finally, after 46 games, Alex Carey ended the century drought with a brilliant knock at the Adelaide Oval.

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The Strikers star piled on 101 off 62 balls before he was given out caught behind with the penultimate ball of the innings despite the ball seemingly deflecting off his forearm.

But it was a brilliant innings with 10 fours and three sixes as he pushed the Strikers along to 5/197 from the 20 overs.

And it comes at an intriguing time when incumbent Test skipper and keeper Tim Paine is under fire following Australia's loss to India.

Carey is Paine's heir apparent and has been named by some as a potential Australian Test skipper, but he was also just released by the Delhi Capitals, the team coached by Channel 7 BBL commentator and Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting.

As he was about to bring up the century, Ponting said he may just pick Carey up again - although with Indian superstar Rishabh Pant also in the squad, it's a stacked squad in the keeping department.

"Marcus Stoinis is staying, and unfortunately Alex found out either last night or today he has been released," Ponting said on Seven.

"I also told him there's a chance I'll buy him back at the (IPL) auction, so not all is lost." 

Phil Salt was a big fan of Carey's ton.

Carey was one of eight Australian players released by their IPL teams as well as Steve Smith (Rajasthan), Aaron Finch (Bangalore), Nathan Coulter-Nile (Mumbai), James Pattinson (Mumbai), Billy Stanlake (Hyderabad), Chris Green (Kolkata), and Shane Watson (Chennai, retired).

It was the second century of his BBL career and the fourth ever by an Adelaide Striker.

He is also the sixth BBL batsman to score two centuries.

"It's been all class and style from Alex Carey," Mel Jones said in Fox Cricket commentary.

Andrew Symonds added: "Well played Alex Carey, that's a superb innings. Just class. Never been in a flap or a fluster tonight, just cruised his way to a hundred here. To the young kids out there watching this man play tonight, this is how you play a white-ball innings, he's been in control of this innings all night."

Mike Hussey also raved over the innings.

“You just don’t really notice him scoring his runs. You look up and, gee whiz, he’s 25 and then he’s 50. He’s almost like a silent assassin, he sneaks up on you,” Hussey told Fox Cricket.

“He’s just so hard to bowl to, especially when he’s in this sort of form.” “He’s played beautifully. He’s played the quicks well, he’s hit beautifully through cover with those classical drives, he’s played the spinners well with a couple of big slog sweeps but then he’s rotated the strike and run hard between the wickets.

Hussey later added that it was "the perfect T20 century".

Social media was equally pumped for the performance.

💯 The magic moment 💯

Alex Carey was BRILLIANT on his way to 101 from just 62 balls #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/3ah9Ft03kI

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 21, 2021

Alex Carey!!! Pure class! #BBL10

— lehmo23 (@lehmo23) January 21, 2021

Sensational innings Alex Carey.
Horrible decision to end it.
Happy n sad. A real shame.

— Mark Stevens (@Stevo7AFL) January 21, 2021

What a classy ton from Carey. Superb knock. Comes a day after he was released from DC 😜#BBL10

— Haricharan Pudipeddi (@pudiharicharan) January 21, 2021

Great to see Alex Carey deliver a classy century. One of the good guys in Australian cricket. #BBL10

— Luke D'Anello (@LukeDAnello) January 21, 2021

Finally a #BBL10 century.
A great knock from Carey.

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) January 21, 2021

The Strikers finished with 5/197 off the 20 overs.

Carey's batting performance appeared to rub off on his teammates with the bowling performance just as impressive.

After getting Chris Lynn for 17 off nine balls, the Strikers were all over the Heat Marnus Labuschagne's 28 the top score while Max Bryant hit 25 late. 

But the Heat were never close to chasing the Bash Boost point, falling 36 runs short, before capitulating to be all out for 115.

Wes Agar took 4/27 off four overs and Peter Siddle 3/13 off 2.3 overs as the bowlers took charge.

The game finished with a hanger as Michael Neser took a one handed diving catch to dismiss Mitch Swepson.

WHAT A FINISH 😱🙌

Welcome back, Nes 💙 #BlueEnergy #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/rQ4fOeF12E

— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) January 21, 2021

Originally published as Alex Carey scored first century of BBL|10 in massive Strikers score against Heat