Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps Australia Bounce Back From A Swift English Test Series Onslaught.
After the chaos from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more familiar brand regarding Test cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to enjoy, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced an outstanding century on his home ground to help Australia just shade the first day's play.
However, England, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, could be too disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant toss and, though not perfect, the English attack continued toiling under sweltering conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of initial expectations after captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Resistance.
The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs constituted a strong riposte against the scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he visibly led the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of control and obvious menace. It was only towards the end of play – one over using the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.
Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder that this sport can bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip to mid-wicket arriving barely a day after trousering a record ÂŁ1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.
Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm when he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso outing with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.
Australia undoubtedly left some runs on the field, though. Gone was that pronounced bounce from the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement when the right area was located.
There was also some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop and Late Switch.
The day's play was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.
By this stage, the hosts were also forced into a change from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue that has periodically affected him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial.
England's Frustration Continues.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another frustrating day for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.
Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day for both teams: brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone cricket.
