Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Aids Australia Bounce Back From A Swift England Ashes Assault.
After the frenzy of the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to savour, with homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century on his home ground to help the home side edge the opening day.
However, England, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in this series, could be too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers kept plugging away under scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely below their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.
The standout for England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of control and clear threat. It was only towards the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look a bit weary.
After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's duck served as a stark reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than a day following securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.
Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at late afternoon when he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.
Australia did leave some runs out there, however. Absent was that pronounced bounce from the opening matches replaced by just a hint of nibble if a good length was located.
The pitch also offered a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop with Late Switch.
The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of 'True Blue'.
By this stage, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently troubled him since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s six years ago.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career could be finished. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial.
England's Frustration Continues.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was yet another frustrating day from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 off his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.
Carse was erratic when handed sharing the new ball early on, overstepping on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.