🔗 Share this article Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Aids Australia Recover After A Swift English Ashes Assault. After the pandemonium of Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional brand of red-ball cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to enjoy, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a magnificent hundred at his home venue to help Australia just shade the first day's play. Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in this contest, could be too disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away in scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of their ambitions when Pat Cummins won the toss first thing. The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback. The most impressive performer among England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering Stokes both control together with obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded. After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely a day after trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract in the Indian Premier League. The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings. Alex Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, culminating at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays. Australia did leave some runs on the field, however. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when a good length was hit. There was also a bit of grip for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon. Solemn Context with Late Team Change. The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of the anthem True Blue. Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently affected the star batter since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago. In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career could be finished. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial. England's Frustration Continues. Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the series, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs. The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.
After the pandemonium of Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional brand of red-ball cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to enjoy, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a magnificent hundred at his home venue to help Australia just shade the first day's play. Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in this contest, could be too disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away in scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of their ambitions when Pat Cummins won the toss first thing. The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback. The most impressive performer among England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering Stokes both control together with obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded. After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely a day after trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract in the Indian Premier League. The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings. Alex Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, culminating at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays. Australia did leave some runs on the field, however. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when a good length was hit. There was also a bit of grip for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon. Solemn Context with Late Team Change. The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of the anthem True Blue. Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently affected the star batter since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago. In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career could be finished. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial. England's Frustration Continues. Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the series, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs. The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.