Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Aids Australia Regroup After A Swift English Test Series Onslaught.
Following that pandemonium of the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night palooza, a more traditional style of red-ball cricket was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the delighted locals, it was one to enjoy, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling century on his home ground as Australia Australia edge day one.
Not that England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this series, were entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant coin toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack kept toiling under 35c conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below their expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.
The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback.
The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful answer to some of scrutiny that came this past week. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering his captain both accuracy and clear menace. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat weary.
Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's golden duck was a reminder that this sport can bring a player back to reality, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than a day after securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.
The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Ship.
Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that the post-lunch wobble to 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely cricketer these days.
Australia undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was that excessive bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was located.
The pitch also offered some grip for Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop and Late Team Change.
This was inevitably a poignant day for the host nation, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by musician John Williams delivering an emotional version of 'True Blue'.
By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make a change from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently affected him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.
In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career may be finished. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and crafting 82 off 126 deliveries just a day before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.
England's Mixed Bag Persists.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was still another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day for both teams: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.
