• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Record Alert Alex Carey Shatters Adam Gilchrists Numbers With Gritty 156 In Galle Test

Record Alert! Alex Carey Shatters Adam Gilchrist's Numbers With Gritty 156 In Galle Test

Soumyajit Dutta

Alex Carey played a valiant 156-run stand against Sri Lanka at Galle [Source: AP Photos]Alex Carey played a valiant 156-run stand against Sri Lanka at Galle [Source: AP Photos]

The second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Galle has witnessed a masterclass from wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, whose 156-run stand anchored Australia’s dominant first-innings reply to Sri Lanka’s 257. 

On a turning track notorious for challenging visiting batters, Alex Carey combined grit with aggression to notch the highest score by an Australian wicketkeeper in Asia, eclipsing Adam Gilchrist’s storied records.

Alex Carey Breaks All records Of Adam Gilchrist

Walking in at 91/3, Carey steadied the innings alongside Steve Smith (131), forging a 259-run partnership that defied Sri Lanka’s spinners. The left-hander struck 15 fours and 2 sixes in his 188-ball stay, blending sweeps, cuts, and precise footwork against Sri Lanka's attack. His 156-run knock surpassed Gilchrist’s 144 in Kandy back in 2004 as the highest individual score by an Australian keeper in Asia, cementing his growing reputation as a clutch performer.

Player
Runs
Opposition Country
Venue
Year
Alex Carey156Sri LankaGalle2025
Adam Gilchrist144Sri LankaKandy 2004
Adam Gilchrist144BangladeshFatullah2006
Adam Gilchrist122IndiaWankhede2001
Adam Gilchrist104IndiaBengaluru2004

Australia Seize Control On Day 3

After bundling Sri Lanka for 257, Australia rode on Smith’s patient 254-ball 131 and Carey’s counterattacking 156 to post 377/6 on Day 3 at the time of writing. The hosts struck early, dismissing Travis Head (21) and Marnus Labuschagne (4) cheaply, but Smith and Carey’s marathon stand shifted momentum. 

Left-arm spinner Jayasuriya eventually broke through, trapping Smith and removing Josh Inglis for a duck in the same over. Jayasuriya also knocked over Carey a few overs later as Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly are resuming at the crease.

For Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya remains the standout bowler with 4 crucial scalps exploiting sharp turns, while Peiris claimed Head and Usman Khawaja. Nevertheless, now, Australia will aim to extend their lead beyond 200 before unleashing their spinners on a deteriorating surface.