🔗 Share this article Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps The Hosts Bounce Back After An Early English Ashes Charge. After the frenzy from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night palooza, an outbreak of familiar style regarding red-ball cricket broke out at Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, the day proved a day to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a magnificent century on his home turf as Australia the home side edge day one. However, The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, were too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers kept plugging away under sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning. The Pace of Archer Leads England's Fightback. The standout among England was Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun while providing Stokes both accuracy and clear threat. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary. After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day following securing a record £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League. The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship. Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon as he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player nowadays. Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive bounce from the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of nibble if the right area was hit. The pitch also offered some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon. Solemn Context with A Late Team Change. This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the start of play was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring version of 'True Blue'. Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and nausea in the morning – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before finessing 82 from 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial. The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists. Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating outing for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs. Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, overstepping five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.
After the frenzy from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night palooza, an outbreak of familiar style regarding red-ball cricket broke out at Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, the day proved a day to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a magnificent century on his home turf as Australia the home side edge day one. However, The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, were too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers kept plugging away under sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning. The Pace of Archer Leads England's Fightback. The standout among England was Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun while providing Stokes both accuracy and clear threat. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary. After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day following securing a record £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League. The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship. Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon as he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player nowadays. Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive bounce from the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of nibble if the right area was hit. The pitch also offered some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon. Solemn Context with A Late Team Change. This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the start of play was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring version of 'True Blue'. Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and nausea in the morning – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before finessing 82 from 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial. The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists. Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating outing for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs. Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, overstepping five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.