Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Century Assists The Hosts Bounce Back After An Early English Ashes Onslaught.
In the wake of that frenzy from the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of traditional style of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, it was a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered a sparkling hundred on his home turf as Australia Australia just shade the opening day.
Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in this series, were too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant coin toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers kept toiling in sweltering heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations after Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Effort.
The most impressive performer for England was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a strong response to the criticism that came this past week. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of accuracy and clear threat. It was only towards the end of play – one over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.
Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder of how this sport can bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely a day after securing a record multi-million dollar deal in the Indian Premier League.
Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.
Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries ensured that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.
The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs out there, though. Absent was the pronounced bounce from the opening matches replaced by just a hint of nibble when a good length was hit.
The pitch also offered a bit of turn to Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop and Late Switch.
The day's play was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so soon in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was perfectly held, followed by musician John Williams performing an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.
By this stage, the hosts were also forced into an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness along with nausea first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled him ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.
In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career may be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.
England's Mixed Bag Persists.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 off his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.
