Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Aids The Hosts Recover After An Early England Test Series Assault.
After the pandemonium from Perth and Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to savour, as local hero Alex Carey notched up a magnificent century at his home ground as Australia Australia edge day one.
Not that England, 2-0 down while clinging on in the series, could be too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, though not at their best, his bowlers kept persevering under 35c heat. At stumps, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Effort.
The standout among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off 16 overs constituted a strong riposte to the scrutiny that came his way. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering his captain both accuracy and obvious menace. It was only towards the end of play – one over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.
After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely 24 hours after trousering a massive ÂŁ1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.
Carey's day, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating at late afternoon when he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off that masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player these days.
Australia undoubtedly left a few potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce from the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of nibble when a good length was hit.
The pitch also offered some grip for Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Context with Late Team Change.
The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.
Earlier, the hosts were also forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently affected him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the innings together, walking out with the score on 33 for two and crafting 82 off 126 balls a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.
The Tourist's Frustration Continues.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, it remained still another frustrating day for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, picking up two for 70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.
Carse looked erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy cricket.
