Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Helps The Hosts Bounce Back From A Swift England Ashes Charge.
After the frenzy of the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar brand regarding the longest format returned at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to savour, with local hero Alex Carey produced a magnificent hundred at his home turf as Australia Australia just shade the opening day.
However, England, 2-0 down while still fighting in this contest, could be too disheartened. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack kept persevering under sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of their expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Effort.
The standout among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong answer against the criticism that came his way. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of control together with clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.
After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than 24 hours following trousering a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.
Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.
Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 balls ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer these days.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement when a good length was hit.
The pitch also offered some grip for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change.
The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so soon after a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was perfectly held, broken only by musician John Williams performing an emotional rendition of True Blue.
By this stage, Australia were also compelled to make a change to their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and nausea first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has periodically troubled the star batter 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 Test career could be over. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey were crucial.
The Tourist's Frustration Persists.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating outing from England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.
