🔗 Share this article Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Aids The Hosts Recover After A Swift England Ashes Onslaught. In the wake of that chaos from Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar brand regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved one to enjoy, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a magnificent century at his home ground to help the home side edge the first day's play. Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this series, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away under scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their ambitions after Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning. The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback. The standout for the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a strong riposte to the scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of control together with obvious menace. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary. After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day following securing a record multi-million dollar deal in the IPL. Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings. Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that the mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player nowadays. The Australian batting lineup did leave a few potential runs out there, though. Gone was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of seam movement when a good length was hit. There was also some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon. Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch. The day's play was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional version of 'True Blue'. By this stage, Australia were also forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago. In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be finished. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were crucial. The Tourist's Frustration Continues. Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs. Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone play.
In the wake of that chaos from Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar brand regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved one to enjoy, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a magnificent century at his home ground to help the home side edge the first day's play. Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this series, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away under scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their ambitions after Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning. The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback. The standout for the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a strong riposte to the scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of control together with obvious menace. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary. After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day following securing a record multi-million dollar deal in the IPL. Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings. Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that the mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player nowadays. The Australian batting lineup did leave a few potential runs out there, though. Gone was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of seam movement when a good length was hit. There was also some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon. Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch. The day's play was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional version of 'True Blue'. By this stage, Australia were also forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago. In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be finished. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were crucial. The Tourist's Frustration Continues. Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs. Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone play.