🔗 Share this article Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Helps The Baggy Greens Regroup From An Early English Test Series Charge. In the wake of that pandemonium of Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar brand of Test cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to enjoy, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced an outstanding hundred at his home ground to help Australia edge the opening day. Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this contest, could be too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant coin toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers continued toiling in sweltering heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations after Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning. Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance. The standout for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs were a powerful response to the scrutiny that came this past week. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing Stokes a combination of accuracy together with clear menace. Only at the end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit jaded. After dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's golden duck was a stark reminder that this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL. The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Ship. Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating at late afternoon when he drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 off 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player these days. The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs on the field, though. Gone was that excessive bounce from the opening matches and in its place just a hint of nibble if a good length was hit. The pitch also offered a bit of grip to Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon. Solemn Backdrop with A Late Team Change. This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, followed by musician John Williams performing an emotional rendition of True Blue. Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord's years back. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings together, walking out at 33/2 before crafting 82 off 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey were crucial. England's Mixed Bag Continues. Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, picking up two for 70 off 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.
In the wake of that pandemonium of Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar brand of Test cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to enjoy, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced an outstanding hundred at his home ground to help Australia edge the opening day. Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this contest, could be too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant coin toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers continued toiling in sweltering heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations after Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning. Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance. The standout for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs were a powerful response to the scrutiny that came this past week. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing Stokes a combination of accuracy together with clear menace. Only at the end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit jaded. After dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's golden duck was a stark reminder that this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL. The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Ship. Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating at late afternoon when he drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 off 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player these days. The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs on the field, though. Gone was that excessive bounce from the opening matches and in its place just a hint of nibble if a good length was hit. The pitch also offered a bit of grip to Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon. Solemn Backdrop with A Late Team Change. This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, followed by musician John Williams performing an emotional rendition of True Blue. Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord's years back. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings together, walking out at 33/2 before crafting 82 off 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey were crucial. England's Mixed Bag Continues. Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, picking up two for 70 off 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.