Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Assists The Hosts Bounce Back From A Swift England Ashes Charge.
After the chaos of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of familiar brand of red-ball cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling hundred on his home ground to help Australia edge day one.
However, England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the contest, could be too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial toss and, though not at their best, the English attack kept plugging away under scorching conditions. At stumps, Australia were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board yet likely below initial ambitions after Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.
The standout among the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a powerful response against some of criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer while providing Stokes both accuracy together with clear threat. Only at the end of the day – one over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.
After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's duck was a reminder of how this sport can bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours after securing a massive multi-million dollar contract in the Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.
Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Fresh from that masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious cricketer these days.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs out there, though. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of nibble when a good length was hit.
There was also a bit of turn to Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Context and Late Switch.
The day's play was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, coming so soon after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was perfectly observed, broken only by musician John Williams performing a stirring version 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 recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever 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 it was speculated his Test career may be finished. Before Carey's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial.
The Tourist's Frustration Persists.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the series, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.
