Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Hosts Regroup After Early English Test Series Onslaught.
Following that chaos of Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style of the longest format broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to savour, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding hundred at his home turf as Australia the home side edge day one.
However, The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in this contest, could be entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being far from perfect, his bowlers kept persevering under sweltering heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations when Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.
The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.
The most impressive performer for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs constituted a powerful answer to the scrutiny directed at him his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer and offering Stokes a combination of accuracy and obvious threat. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.
After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving less than a day after trousering a massive £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.
Carey's Priceless Innings Rescues The Ship.
Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Fresh from that masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a complete crisis. The 34-year-old is a serious cricketer these days.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, though. Gone was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of seam movement when a good length was hit.
There was also a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop and Late Switch.
This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by musician John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of 'True Blue'.
By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness along with nausea first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be over. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33 for two and finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey proved significant.
The Tourist's Frustration Continues.
Archer aside, and despite the sapping conditions, it remained still another disappointing outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.
