Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Aids The Hosts Regroup From Early English Test Series Assault.
In the wake of the frenzy from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar style regarding red-ball cricket was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved one to cherish, as homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered a sparkling hundred on his home venue to help the home side edge the first day's play.
Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this series, were entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant coin toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack kept plugging away in sweltering heat. At stumps, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely below their expectations after Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.
The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong riposte to the scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control and clear threat. Only at the end of play – one over using the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.
After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck was a reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket arriving barely a day following trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract in the IPL.
The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.
Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at 4.48pm when he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that the mid-innings stumble to 94/4 failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely cricketer these days.
The Australian batting lineup did leave a few potential runs on the field, however. Gone was that excessive bounce of the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located.
The pitch also offered some grip to Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Context and A Late Team Change.
The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, broken only by musician John Williams delivering a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.
By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make an alteration to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue which has periodically affected the star batter ever 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 may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the Australian innings steady, walking out at 33/2 before finessing 82 from 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.
England's Frustration Persists.
Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form from the series, picking up two for 70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.
Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the new ball early on, overstepping on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.
