Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Assists The Hosts Recover After Early English Test Series Charge.
After the frenzy of the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a magnificent century at his home turf as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.
Not that England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the series, could be entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers kept persevering in scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely short of their expectations after captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.
Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.
The standout for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong riposte to the criticism directed at him this past week. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of control together with clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.
After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's golden duck was a stark reminder that cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket occurring less than a day following securing a record £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.
Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.
Alex Carey's day, however, was simply priceless, peaking at 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious cricketer these days.
Australia undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was the pronounced bounce of the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble when a good length was located.
The pitch also offered a bit of grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop with A Late Team Change.
This was always going to be an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.
Earlier, Australia had also been forced into a change from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness and nausea first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has periodically affected him ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.
In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career may be over. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 before crafting a fine 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.
The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another frustrating outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, finishing with two for 70 off his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.
Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping five times but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.
