Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Aids Australia Regroup After Early English Test Series Assault.
In the wake of that frenzy from the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more familiar style of red-ball cricket broke out at Adelaide Oval. For the locals, the day proved a day to savour, as their boy Alex Carey delivered an outstanding hundred on his home turf as Australia the home side just shade the opening day.
Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, were too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous coin toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away under 35c heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326 for eight off 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely short of initial expectations when Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.
The standout for the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful response against the criticism directed at him this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer while providing Stokes a combination of control and obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat weary.
Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's golden duck was a reminder that this sport can bring a player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket occurring less than a day after trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.
Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 failed to develop into a complete crisis. The 34-year-old has become a serious cricketer these days.
Australia did leave some potential runs out there, though. Gone was that excessive bounce of the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble when a good length was located.
The pitch also offered some turn to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Context with Late Team Change.
The day's play was always going to be a poignant occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.
By this stage, the hosts had also been forced into a change from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has periodically troubled him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be finished. Before Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the Australian innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.
England's Frustration Persists.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, it remained still another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone play.
