Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Assists Australia Regroup After An Early English Test Series Charge.
In the wake of that frenzy of the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style regarding Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, with their boy Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century on his home turf to help the home side edge the first day's play.
However, England, 2-0 down and still fighting in the contest, were too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, though far from at their best, the English attack continued toiling in scorching conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.
The most impressive performer for England was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful response to some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy together with clear threat. Only at the very end of play – one over using the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary.
Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following trousering a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Carey's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Innings.
Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that the mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player nowadays.
The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs out there, however. Gone was the excessive bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when a good length was located.
The pitch also offered some turn for Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Context with A Late Switch.
This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the start of play was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.
By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change to their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and nausea in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled him since being felled by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.
In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be finished. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.
The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.
The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.