🔗 Share this article Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Assists The Baggy Greens Recover After A Swift England Ashes Assault. After the chaos of Perth and Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more traditional style of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted locals, it was a day to savour, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding hundred at his home venue to help Australia edge day one. Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in the series, were entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers continued toiling in sweltering heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their expectations when Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning. Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback. The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte to the scrutiny that came his way. On this day he clearly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering Stokes a combination of control and clear menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary. Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck served as a stark reminder that cricket can bring a player back to reality, coming from tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving less than a day after securing a massive £1.5m deal in the IPL. The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings. Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of 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. Coming off his virtuoso outing with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player these days. The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, however. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when the right area was located. The pitch also offered a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon. Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change. The day's play was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was perfectly held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of the anthem True Blue. By this stage, Australia were also forced into a change from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has periodically affected the star batter since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, walking out at 33/2 before crafting 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved crucial. The Tourist's Frustration Continues. Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.
After the chaos of Perth and Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more traditional style of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted locals, it was a day to savour, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding hundred at his home venue to help Australia edge day one. Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in the series, were entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers continued toiling in sweltering heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their expectations when Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning. Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback. The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte to the scrutiny that came his way. On this day he clearly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering Stokes a combination of control and clear menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary. Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck served as a stark reminder that cricket can bring a player back to reality, coming from tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving less than a day after securing a massive £1.5m deal in the IPL. The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings. Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of 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. Coming off his virtuoso outing with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player these days. The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, however. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when the right area was located. The pitch also offered a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon. Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change. The day's play was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was perfectly held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of the anthem True Blue. By this stage, Australia were also forced into a change from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has periodically affected the star batter since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, walking out at 33/2 before crafting 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved crucial. The Tourist's Frustration Continues. Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.