Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps Australia Regroup After Early England Test Series Assault.
After the pandemonium from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, a more traditional brand regarding red-ball cricket returned at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted locals, the day proved one to savour, with homegrown talent Alex Carey produced a sparkling hundred on his home venue as Australia the home side edge the opening day.
Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while still fighting in this contest, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant coin toss and, though far from perfect, his bowlers kept plugging away under 35c heat. At stumps, the Australians were 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of their ambitions after Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.
The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.
The most impressive performer for England was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful response against the scrutiny that came his way. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering Stokes both accuracy together with obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.
Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a stark reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving less than a day following securing a record £1.5m deal in the IPL.
The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Innings.
Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 balls ensured that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely cricketer nowadays.
Australia undoubtedly left a few runs on the field, though. Absent was the excessive bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was hit.
The pitch also offered a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop with Late Team Change.
This was inevitably an emotional day for the host nation, coming so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.
By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and sickness in the morning – seemingly return of a vertigo issue which has intermittently affected him since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career may be finished. Before Carey's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33/2 and finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey were significant.
England's Frustration Continues.
Archer aside, and despite the sapping conditions, it remained still another disappointing outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy cricket.