Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Aids The Hosts Recover After An Early England Test Series Assault.
Following that chaos of Perth as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more traditional brand of Test cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to savour, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a magnificent century at his home ground to help the home side edge the opening day.
Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, were too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial toss and, despite being far from perfect, his bowlers continued toiling under 35c heat. At stumps, the Australians were 326 for eight off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.
Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.
The standout for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful response to the criticism that came his way. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering his captain both accuracy and obvious threat. Only at the very end of play – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary.
After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's duck served as a reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely a day following securing a massive £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.
Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking around late afternoon as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd to rise with a roar. Fresh from his masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs from 143 deliveries ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.
Australia did leave a few potential runs out there, however. Gone was the pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if a good length was located.
There was also a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change.
The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for Australia, arriving so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was immaculately held, followed by musician John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of True Blue.
By this stage, the hosts had also been compelled to make a change from their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness and sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently troubled the star batter since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.
In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career could be over. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.
England's Frustration Persists.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form from the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, overstepping five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.
