Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Century Assists The Hosts Recover After An Early English Test Series Assault.
After that pandemonium of the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night palooza, a more traditional brand regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, with their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding century on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.
Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in the series, could be too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous toss and, despite being far from at their best, the English attack continued plugging away in 35c conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below initial ambitions after Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback.
The standout among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a powerful response to some of scrutiny that came his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer while providing Stokes a combination of accuracy together with clear threat. It was only towards the very end of play – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.
After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how this sport can bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day after securing a massive multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings.
Alex Carey's day, however, was simply priceless, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.
Australia undoubtedly left a few potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the pronounced bounce of the opening matches and in its place just a hint of nibble if a good length was located.
The pitch also offered some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop with Late Team Change.
The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon after the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by musician a rendition performing an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.
Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness and nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 before crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved significant.
The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day for England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form from the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the new cherry early on, overstepping five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.
