Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Hosts Bounce Back From Early England Test Series Assault.
In the wake of the frenzy of Perth and Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more traditional brand of red-ball cricket was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, the day proved a day to savour, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding hundred at his home ground as Australia Australia edge the first day's play.
However, The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in this series, could be too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared an ominous toss and, though not perfect, the English attack kept toiling in sweltering heat. At stumps, Australia were 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely short of their expectations when Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.
The Pace of Archer Stands Out For England's Effort.
The standout for the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a powerful riposte against the scrutiny that came this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of control and obvious threat. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary.
Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck served as a reminder of how cricket can bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than 24 hours after securing a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming IPL.
The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Innings.
Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 balls ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player these days.
The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, however. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement if the right area was hit.
The pitch also offered some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop and Late Switch.
The day's play was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by musician John Williams performing an emotional version of True Blue.
By this stage, the hosts had also been forced into an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue that has periodically affected him ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two and finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.
England's Mixed Bag Continues.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.
Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.
