Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Century Helps The Hosts Regroup After A Swift English Test Series Onslaught.
In the wake of the chaos from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of traditional brand regarding Test cricket was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the delighted locals, the day proved one to savour, as local hero Alex Carey notched up a magnificent century at his home turf to help the home side edge day one.
Not that England, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the contest, could be too downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, though far from perfect, the English attack continued persevering in sweltering heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.
The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.
The most impressive performer for England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs were a powerful answer to some of criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of accuracy and obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit jaded.
After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a stark reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip to mid-wicket occurring less than 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract in the IPL.
Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.
Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, culminating around late afternoon when he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the crowd rose with a roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs from 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer nowadays.
The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs out there, however. Absent was the excessive bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble when the right area was located.
There was also some grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Context with A Late Switch.
The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for Australia, arriving so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the first ball was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition delivering a stirring version of 'True Blue'.
Earlier, Australia were also forced into an alteration from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled him ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord's six years ago.
In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career may be finished. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were significant.
England's Mixed Bag Continues.
Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was still another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form of the series, picking up two for 70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.
Carse was erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.
