🔗 Share this article Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Aids The Hosts Regroup After A Swift English Ashes Charge. After the frenzy from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of traditional style regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved a day to cherish, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding century on his home turf as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play. However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this contest, were too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers continued persevering in sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely below their expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice 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 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong response to the scrutiny that came his way. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and clear threat. It was only towards the end of play – one over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary. After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours after securing a massive £1.5m deal in the IPL. The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship. Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off that masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays. The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs out there, though. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when the right area was hit. There was also some turn for Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon. Solemn Backdrop and A Late Team Change. The day's play was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so soon after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by musician John Williams delivering a stirring version of 'True Blue'. By this stage, Australia were also forced into a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically affected him since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s six years ago. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the innings together, walking out at 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial. England's Frustration Continues. Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form from the series, finishing with two for 70 off his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.
After the frenzy from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of traditional style regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved a day to cherish, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding century on his home turf as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play. However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this contest, were too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers continued persevering in sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely below their expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice 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 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong response to the scrutiny that came his way. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and clear threat. It was only towards the end of play – one over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary. After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours after securing a massive £1.5m deal in the IPL. The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship. Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off that masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays. The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs out there, though. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when the right area was hit. There was also some turn for Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon. Solemn Backdrop and A Late Team Change. The day's play was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so soon after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by musician John Williams delivering a stirring version of 'True Blue'. By this stage, Australia were also forced into a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically affected him since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s six years ago. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the innings together, walking out at 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial. England's Frustration Continues. Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form from the series, finishing with two for 70 off his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.