Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Aids Australia Regroup From A Swift English Ashes Charge.
After that frenzy of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style regarding Test cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved one to cherish, as their boy Alex Carey produced a magnificent hundred at his home turf as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.
Not that England, 2-0 down and still fighting in the contest, could be entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant coin toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers kept plugging away in 35c conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Effort.
The most impressive performer for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off 16 overs constituted a strong answer against some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of accuracy and obvious threat. Only at the end of the day – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary.
After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can bring a player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than a day after securing a record ÂŁ1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.
Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.
Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely cricketer nowadays.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, though. Absent was that excessive pace and bounce from the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement if a good length was located.
The pitch also offered some turn for Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.
This was always going to be an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was perfectly held, followed by musician a rendition performing an emotional rendition of 'True Blue'.
Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically affected him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career may be over. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings together, walking out at 33 for two and crafting 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were significant.
The Tourist's Frustration Persists.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping heat, it remained still another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 off 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the new cherry early on, no-balling on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone cricket.
