🔗 Share this article Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Assists Australia Bounce Back From Early English Test Series Assault. After that chaos of Perth and Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to cherish, with homegrown talent Alex Carey notched up an outstanding century on his home turf as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play. Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in the contest, were entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers kept persevering in scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations when Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning. The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback. The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte against the scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of accuracy and clear menace. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded. After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League. Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings. Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at 4.48pm when he drove Stokes through cover for three and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player these days. The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of nibble when the right area was located. There was also some grip for Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon. Solemn Context and Late Team Change. The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring rendition of True Blue. By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord's six years ago. In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved significant. The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues. Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs. Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.
After that chaos of Perth and Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to cherish, with homegrown talent Alex Carey notched up an outstanding century on his home turf as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play. Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in the contest, were entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers kept persevering in scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations when Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning. The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback. The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte against the scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of accuracy and clear menace. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded. After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League. Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings. Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at 4.48pm when he drove Stokes through cover for three and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player these days. The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of nibble when the right area was located. There was also some grip for Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon. Solemn Context and Late Team Change. The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring rendition of True Blue. By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord's six years ago. In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved significant. The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues. Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs. Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.