Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Helps The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After Early English Ashes Assault.
After that chaos of the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more familiar style regarding Test cricket was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, it was one to savour, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling century at his home venue to help the home side edge day one.
However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the contest, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack continued plugging away under scorching heat. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.
Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.
The most impressive performer for England was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from 16 overs constituted a powerful response against some of scrutiny that came this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control together with clear menace. Only at the very end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit jaded.
Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder that this sport can bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.
Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.
Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Coming off that masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious cricketer nowadays.
The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, though. Absent was that pronounced bounce from the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was hit.
The pitch also offered a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop with Late Switch.
This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.
By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make an alteration from their announced XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected the star batter since being felled by Archer at Lord's years back.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings together, walking out at 33 for two and finessing 82 from 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial.
The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, no-balling five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.
