Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Assists The Hosts Recover From Early England Ashes Charge.
After that pandemonium from the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more familiar style regarding Test cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to savour, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a magnificent hundred on his home turf as Australia the home side just shade day one.
However, The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in this contest, were too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial toss and, though not perfect, the English attack kept toiling in scorching conditions. At stumps, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below their ambitions when Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Resistance.
The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a strong response to the scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he clearly led the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering Stokes both control together with clear menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded.
Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's golden duck was a stark reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming IPL.
The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.
Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Fresh from that masterful outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player these days.
The Australian batting lineup did leave a few potential runs out there, however. Absent was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was hit.
There was also some turn to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop and Late Switch.
The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the start of play was immaculately held, followed by musician John Williams performing a stirring rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.
Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration to their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with nausea in the morning – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has periodically affected him since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 before crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial.
The Tourist's Frustration Continues.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.
