England chipped away throughout the first day of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, despite 106 from Alex Carey.
The Australian wicket-keeper’s third Test century and 82 from the returning Usman Khawaja guided the hosts to 326 – 8, after their captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first at the toss.
Australia were in a spot of bother at 94 – 4 when the South Australian Carey arrived at the crease, following two wickets from the first three balls after lunch for the impressive Jofra Archer (3 – 29).
Marnus Labuschagne chipped the first ball of the afternoon session to Brydon Carse at mid-wicket, before Cameron Green was caught by the diving Carse two balls later.
Alongside the well set Khawaja though, who only returned to the side after Steve Smith failed a last minute fitness Test with concussion, Carey steadied the ship and immediately settled into his groove at the crease.
Khawaja made a welcome half-century and shared a partnership of 91 with Carey, before gifting his wicket to part-time off-spinner Will Jacks (2 – 105), as he top-edged an attempted slog sweep to the tumbling Josh Tongue on the boundary.
Carey serenely passed his own 50 though and despite both Josh Inglis (32) and Pat Cummins (13) falling in relatively quick succession, he continued to guide Australia towards 300.
The personal milestone of a century on his home ground was brought up with a pushed three off Ben Stokes, although he fell soon after for 106, after an ungainly hack at Jacks was safely pouched by Smith.
Australia had threatened to make an imposing start, with Jake Weatherald (18) and Travis Head (10) calmly reaching 33 – 0, prior to both falling in the space of two overs.
Weatherald was tangled up by Archer and Smith held onto a simple chance behind the stumps, whilst Zak Crawley claimed a stunning, diving one-handed catch at short cover to remove the dangerous Head off Carse.
Harry Brook’s diving drop of Khawaja on three ultimately proved to be costly for England, with Khawaja adding 79 more runs, however – poor decision making and stroke play kept the tourists interested and in the game throughout.
Australia will resume on day two with Mitchell Starc (33*) and Nathan Lyon (0*) aiming to guide them up towards 400, whilst England know that they need to pick up the last two Australian wickets quickly, if they are to keep their faint Ashes hopes alive.
Guerilla Match Moments:
Big Moment: The decision not to give Alex Carey out caught behind on review (72), which the Decision Review System (DRS) operator later acknowledged was incorrect.
Star of the Day: Alex Carey – An outstanding third Test century on his home ground and whilst wickets fell around him, amidst some questionable shot selection.
Whoops, can I try that again: Harry Brook, who dropped Usman Khawaja on three, with the veteran Australian going on to make 82.
