Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps The Hosts Bounce Back From An Early England Test Series Charge.
Following that chaos from the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style regarding the longest format broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to savour, with homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered a magnificent hundred at his home turf as Australia Australia edge the opening day.
Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in the series, were entirely disappointed. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away in 35c heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below their ambitions after Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.
Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.
The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs were a strong riposte to the criticism that came his way. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of control together with clear threat. It was only towards the end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat weary.
After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a stark reminder that cricket can bring a player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day following securing a massive £1.5m contract in the IPL.
The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.
Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around late afternoon as he drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Fresh from his virtuoso display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player these days.
Australia undoubtedly left some runs out there, however. Gone was the pronounced pace and bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was hit.
There was also some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop and Late Team Change.
This was inevitably an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional version of 'True Blue'.
Earlier, Australia had also been forced into a change to their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently troubled 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 could be over. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33 for two before finessing 82 from 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.
England's Mixed Bag Continues.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating outing for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 off his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.
Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day for both teams: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.
