Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Helps Australia Recover From A Swift English Test Series Assault.
After that pandemonium of the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar brand of Test cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, the day proved one to enjoy, as local hero Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century on his home ground to help Australia just shade day one.
However, England, 2-0 down and still fighting in the series, could be too downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not at their best, his bowlers kept toiling in 35c conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below their expectations when Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.
The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.
The standout among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a powerful answer to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control together with clear threat. Only at the end of play – one over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary.
After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following trousering a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming IPL.
The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.
Alex Carey's day, however, was simply priceless, culminating at 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely Test match player these days.
Australia did leave a few potential runs on the field, though. Absent was the excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement if a good length was located.
There was also a bit of grip for Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop and A Late Switch.
This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so shortly after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by musician a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.
By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make an alteration from their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically troubled the star batter since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey were significant.
The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.
Archer aside, and despite the sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 off 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.
Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.