Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Assists Australia Recover After Early England Test Series Assault.
Following that chaos of the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more traditional brand of the longest format was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved a day to savour, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling century at his home turf as Australia Australia edge the first day's play.
However, England, 2-0 down and still fighting in this series, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant coin toss and, despite being far from perfect, the English attack kept persevering in 35c conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board yet likely below their expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Resistance.
The most impressive performer among England was Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs constituted a strong riposte against the criticism directed at him this past week. Here he clearly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of control and obvious menace. Only at the very end of play – during a single over using the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat weary.
Having dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip to mid-wicket occurring barely a day following securing a record multi-million dollar deal in the Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.
Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm when he drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Coming off that masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player these days.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs out there, though. Absent was that excessive bounce from the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if a good length was hit.
There was also some turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop and A Late Team Change.
This was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly after a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was perfectly held, followed by musician John Williams performing a stirring rendition of 'True Blue'.
By this stage, the hosts had also been compelled to make a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with sickness first thing – seemingly return of the vertigo that has periodically affected the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career may be over. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey were crucial.
The Tourist's Frustration Persists.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, it remained yet another disappointing day for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.
Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.
