Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Hosts Regroup From An Early English Test Series Onslaught.
Following that chaos from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of traditional style regarding the longest format returned at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling hundred on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.
Not that England, 2-0 down while still fighting in this series, could be entirely disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous toss and, though far from perfect, the English attack kept plugging away in scorching heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of their expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback.
The standout for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of criticism directed at him his way. On this day he visibly led the attack, clocking 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun while providing his captain both control together with obvious menace. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat weary.
Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a reminder of how this sport can bring a player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.
Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Innings.
Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Coming off that virtuoso display with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, though. Gone was that pronounced bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when the right area was located.
There was also some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although 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 turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Context with A Late Switch.
The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for Australia, coming so soon in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of the anthem 'True Blue'.
By this stage, Australia were also forced into an alteration to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s six years ago.
In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 and crafting 82 from 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey were significant.
The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.
Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form from the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone cricket.
