England battle despite Carey ton in crucial Test

Credit: ESPNcricinfo

England battled hard to stay in the Ashes as Alex Carey’s century led Australia to 326-8 on the opening day of the third Test.

On a dramatic, poignant and emotional day in Adelaide, Carey’s composed 106 ensured Australia did not waste the opportunity to bat first on a slow pitch in baking temperatures.

Carey’s knock was not without controversy. On 72, England unsuccessfully reviewed an appeal for caught behind off Josh Tongue, an edge that Carey later admitted he had made.

Australia’s effort means England, who must win to keep their hopes of regaining the Ashes alive, will bat under pressure on the second day.

Even before the Adelaide Oval paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, Steve Smith was ruled out of the Test with symptoms of dizziness and nausea.

Smith’s replacement, Usman Khawaja, took his unexpected opportunity with 82 after being dropped by Harry Brook on five. Khawaja steadied the home side amid some loose Australian shots against a mixed England bowling performance.

Jofra Archer was outstanding, finishing with 3-29 from 16 overs, including two wickets in the first over after lunch.

Khawaja and Carey added 91 for the fifth wicket, yet when Australia were reduced to 271-7, England had a real opportunity. Once again, Mitchell Starc found a way to contribute, adding 50 for the eighth wicket with Carey.

England will return on Thursday with a second new ball only three overs old. They have the chance to dismiss Australia for a par total and could then bat themselves back into the series.

For all the talk of England’s errors in the first two Tests, the wisdom of their holiday in Noosa and a change of approach in this match, the tourists cannot be faulted for their effort or attitude in the 34-degree heat.

There were times when the bowling was ragged, and part-time off-spinner Will Jacks struggled to contain the scoring. But Archer stepped up as the attack leader and, aside from Brook’s drop, England’s fielding was largely blemish-free.

They were helped by Australian wastefulness and the loss of Smith. The hosts’ premier batter is expected to be fit for the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The mood at the Adelaide Oval — one of the most beautiful grounds in world cricket — was initially sombre as the victims of Bondi were mourned. A moment’s silence was observed and Australian singer John Williamson performed True Blue.

From then on, the cricket was nip-and-tuck, an arm-wrestle for supremacy, with both sides mixing moments of quality with self-inflicted errors.

Even in such favourable batting conditions, there was a suspicion this was a good toss for England to lose. They are a strong chasing team and Thursday is forecast to be even hotter. Still, there is the added pressure of batting to stay in the Ashes.

Both Khawaja’s and Carey’s innings carried significant meaning. A day short of his 39th birthday, Khawaja may have thought his Test career was over until Smith’s illness. For Carey, a South Australian, this was his first Test on his home ground since the passing of his father in September.

Both arrived at the crease after two wickets fell in quick succession. Khawaja looked nervous early on and a flashing drive at Tongue should have been held by Brook diving to his left at second slip.

From there, the left-hander waited for England to drift straight and tucked off his pads, with barely a run coming in front of square on the off side. He eventually fell sweeping Jacks into the hands of deep square leg.

Carey continued to prove a thorn in England’s side, registering his third Test century with crisp drives and aggression against Jacks. He was almost caught on 52, only for Brydon Carse to spill an extremely difficult chance, before the pivotal review incident followed.

With Australia 245-6, Carey aimed a cut at Tongue that ended in the gloves of Jamie Smith. After the on-field decision went in his favour, England reviewed. Carey even appeared to nod towards the England players, suggesting he had hit the ball. Despite a sound detected on the technology, TV umpire Chris Gaffaney did not overturn Ahsan Raza’s original decision.

Carey drove Ben Stokes through the covers to reach three figures, celebrating with a glance to the sky. His crucial innings ended when he miscued Jacks into the hands of wicketkeeper Smith.

Stokes had said his dressing room was “no place for weak men” and labelled this the most important Test of his captaincy. His words clearly drew a show of character from his team.

Archer was a constant threat, bowling with high pace and miserly economy. He bounced out Jake Weatherald in the first hour, then induced leg-side pokes from both Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the over after lunch.

Carse typified England’s ups and downs. He was far too short with the new ball, yet still claimed the wicket of Travis Head thanks to Zak Crawley’s stunning one-handed catch at short cover. The Durham paceman conceded more than five runs an over and bowled six no-balls, though he still took two catches, almost held Carey, and had returning Australia captain Pat Cummins caught at short leg.

Tongue deserved more on his recall to the England side, particularly after being denied by Brook’s drop. The most obvious issue for the tourists was Jacks’ inability to hold an end, as he returned figures of 2-105 from 20 overs.

Still, even when the day threatened to slip away during Carey and Starc’s partnership, England stuck at it. They remain in the Test and now face a day of reckoning with the bat. (BBC)