Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Helps The Baggy Greens Recover From Early England Test Series Onslaught.
Following the chaos of Perth and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style of red-ball cricket returned at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to enjoy, as their boy Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.
Not that England, 2-0 down while still fighting in this series, could be too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers kept plugging away in sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely short of their expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.
Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.
The most impressive performer among the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from 16 overs were a strong riposte to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of control and obvious menace. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat jaded.
Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.
Alex Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, peaking at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player nowadays.
Australia did leave a few potential runs out there, however. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located.
The pitch also offered a bit of turn for Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Backdrop with Late Team Change.
The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for the host nation, coming so soon in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was perfectly held, followed by musician John Williams delivering a stirring rendition of True Blue.
By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make a change from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and nausea first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected the star batter ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.
His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be over. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two and finessing a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey proved significant.
England's Mixed Bag Continues.
Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.
Carse looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.
