Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Hosts Recover After A Swift English Ashes Onslaught.
After the frenzy from the Perth Test and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of traditional style regarding red-ball cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to enjoy, as homegrown talent Alex Carey notched up a sparkling century at his home turf as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.
However, England, trailing 2-0 while clinging on in this contest, were entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being far from at their best, the English attack continued plugging away in scorching conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.
The standout for England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs were a strong answer to some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he clearly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing Stokes a combination of accuracy together with obvious menace. Only at the very end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.
After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours following trousering a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.
Carey's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Ship.
Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Fresh from his masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer these days.
The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, though. Gone was that pronounced bounce of the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was hit.
The pitch also offered some turn for Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop with A Late Team Change.
The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.
Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change to their announced XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently affected him since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be over. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.
The Tourist's Frustration Persists.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping heat, it remained still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 off his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone play.
