A combative century from wicketkeeper Alex Carey and a fiery, point-proving spell from Jofra Archer were the defining features of a compelling and tense opening day in the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval. Australia, having been inserted, closed on 326 for eight, a position that is advantageous but far from decisive after a day of dramatic swings.
Archer Strikes Back With Purpose
The narrative of the day was powerfully shaped by England's returning fast bowler, Jofra Archer. On a scorching day where temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius, Archer answered his critics in the most emphatic way possible: with the ball. His spell was a direct retort to recent barbs, including those from former Australian quick Ryan Harris, who had mocked Archer's preference for gold chains, and the undisguised contempt from commentators like Ricky Ponting.
Archer, a man of few words who prefers to let his cricket do the talking, was simply devastating. He removed Jake Weatherald for 18 before lunch, but his most telling contribution came in a remarkable first over after the interval. With consecutive deliveries, he dismissed the key wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green, both caught at midwicket, to reduce Australia to a precarious 94 for four.
By stumps, his figures of 16 overs, 5 maidens, 29 runs, and 3 wickets were a testament to his control and threat. The problem for England, however, was the lack of support from the other end, where the remaining bowlers conceded a combined 291 runs for their five wickets.
Carey's Gutsy Innings Steadies the Ship
With Australia teetering, Usman Khawaja, playing only due to Steve Smith's late withdrawal with vertigo, grafted for a gutsy 82. He was dropped on just 5, a chance put down by Harry Brook at second slip. The platform was then seized by Alex Carey, who played an innings of immense character and skill.
The local hero, born in Loxton some 130 miles from Adelaide, survived a curious moment on 72 when England reviewed a caught-behind appeal. Technology showed a spike, but it occurred before the ball was near the bat, leaving commentators Ponting and Matthew Hayden believing Carey had enjoyed a slice of fortune.
He made the most of it. Ten overs later, he drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three to bring up his third Test century, sparking the biggest cheer of the day from a record Adelaide crowd of over 56,000. His 195 runs in the series now place him second only to Travis Head, and his promotion to number six appears to suit his game perfectly.
The Battle for Control and What Comes Next
England will reflect on a missed opportunity to capitalise on Archer's brilliance. Brydon Carse, preferred to Gus Atkinson, bowled too short early but redeemed himself slightly with the wicket of Travis Head, brilliantly caught one-handed by Zak Crawley. Part-time off-spinner Will Jacks, who has leapfrogged Shoaib Bashir, was expensive, conceding 105 from his 20 overs, though he did remove both Khawaja and Carey as they miscued aggressive strokes.
Josh Tongue provided another breakthrough, bowling Josh Inglis for 32 with a ball that beat him for pace. Yet, Australia have significant runs on the board, and history shows that has been enough so far in this series.
The pitch is already showing signs of turn, suggesting England will likely need a first-innings lead to set up the victory they require to keep the Ashes alive. To do that, they may need to surpass 400—a feat they have managed only twice in 33 innings in Australia since their 2010-11 series win. The stage is set for another pivotal day in a fiercely contested battle.
