Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Aids The Hosts Recover From A Swift England Ashes Onslaught.
After the pandemonium from Perth as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional brand of red-ball cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved one to enjoy, with local hero Alex Carey notched up a sparkling century on his home ground to help the home side just shade day one.
Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while clinging on in the contest, were too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial coin toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers kept plugging away under 35c conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of initial expectations when Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.
The Pace of Archer Leads England's Fightback.
The most impressive performer among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs constituted a powerful answer to the criticism that came his way. On this day he visibly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of accuracy and clear menace. Only at the very end of the day – one over with the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.
After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck served as a stark reminder of how this sport can bring a player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than a day after trousering a massive £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.
Alex Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, culminating at late afternoon when he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely cricketer these days.
The Australian batting lineup did leave a few potential runs out there, however. Gone was that pronounced pace and bounce of the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement if the right area was hit.
The pitch also offered a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change.
This was always going to be an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by musician John Williams delivering an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.
By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change from their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness and sickness first thing – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue that 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 many felt his international career could be over. Until Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings steady, walking out at 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 from 126 deliveries a day out from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were significant.
The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.
Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.
Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone cricket.