Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After Early England Ashes Onslaught.
In the wake of the pandemonium from the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar brand of red-ball cricket was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved a day to enjoy, with local hero Alex Carey notched up a magnificent century at his home venue as Australia the home side edge the first day's play.
However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the series, were too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, despite being far from at their best, the English attack kept persevering in sweltering heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of their expectations after captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.
The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of control and clear threat. Only at the very end of the day – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit jaded.
After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how this sport can bring a player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket arriving less than a day following trousering a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming IPL.
The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Ship.
Alex Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off his masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble to 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs on the field, however. Gone was the pronounced bounce from the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of nibble if the right area was hit.
The pitch also offered some grip to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop with A Late Switch.
This was inevitably a poignant day for Australia, coming so shortly after a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was immaculately held, followed by musician a rendition performing a stirring version of True Blue.
By this stage, Australia had also been forced into a change from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – seemingly return of a vertigo issue that has intermittently troubled the star batter since being felled by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.
In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career may be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial.
The Tourist's Frustration Persists.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping heat, this was still another frustrating day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.
