Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps The Hosts Bounce Back After Early English Test Series Assault.
After the frenzy of the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style of red-ball cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, it was a day to savour, with their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a sparkling century on his home ground to help Australia edge the first day's play.
Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in the series, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous toss and, though not at their best, his bowlers continued persevering in scorching conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.
Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.
The standout for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte against some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control together with clear menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary.
Having bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's duck was a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day after securing a record £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.
The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.
Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, culminating around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.
Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when the right area was located.
There was also a bit of grip for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Emotional Context and A Late Team Change.
This was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon after a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was perfectly held, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.
By this stage, the hosts were also forced into an alteration to their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently affected 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 many felt his Test career may be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out at 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day from turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey were significant.
The Tourist's Frustration Continues.
Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 off his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.
The Durham bowler was all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.
