🔗 Share this article Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Assists The Hosts Bounce Back From An Early England Ashes Onslaught. In the wake of that pandemonium from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to cherish, with their boy Alex Carey notched up an outstanding century on his home venue to help Australia just shade day one. However, England, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in this series, could be entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers kept toiling under scorching conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing. The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback. The most impressive performer for England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of criticism that came this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of control and clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded. Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a stark reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League. Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Ship. Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, culminating around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer these days. Australia did leave a few runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was located. There was also a bit of turn to Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon. Solemn Context with Late Switch. This was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the first ball was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering a stirring version of the anthem 'True Blue'. Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back. In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be over. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant. England's Frustration Persists. Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when handed sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone cricket.
In the wake of that pandemonium from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to cherish, with their boy Alex Carey notched up an outstanding century on his home venue to help Australia just shade day one. However, England, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in this series, could be entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers kept toiling under scorching conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing. The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback. The most impressive performer for England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of criticism that came this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of control and clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded. Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a stark reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League. Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Ship. Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, culminating around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer these days. Australia did leave a few runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was located. There was also a bit of turn to Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon. Solemn Context with Late Switch. This was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the first ball was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering a stirring version of the anthem 'True Blue'. Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back. In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be over. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant. England's Frustration Persists. Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when handed sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone cricket.