Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Assists The Hosts Regroup From Early English Ashes Charge.
After that chaos of Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style of Test cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the delighted locals, the day proved one to cherish, as homegrown talent Alex Carey produced a magnificent century on his home ground to help Australia edge day one.
Not that England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this series, could be too disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack kept plugging away in scorching conditions. At stumps, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board yet likely short of their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Resistance.
The standout for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a strong riposte to the criticism that came his way. On this day he visibly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of control together with clear threat. Only at the end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat weary.
After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's duck served as a stark reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than a day after securing a massive ÂŁ1.5m deal for the upcoming IPL.
Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.
Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that the mid-innings stumble of 94/4 failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player these days.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, however. Gone was that pronounced bounce of the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located.
There was also some turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop and A Late Switch.
This was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so soon in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was perfectly held, followed by folk singer John Williams performing a stirring rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.
By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and nausea first thing – seemingly return of the vertigo which has periodically affected the star batter ever since being felled by Archer 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 finished. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey were significant.
England's Frustration Persists.
Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing outing for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy cricket.