Alex Carey Hits Maiden Ashes Century as Australia and England trade blows at Adelaide Oval
In a do or die scenario, England took the field determined to make an early statement. Despite a few erratic spells, their bowlers struck hard, reducing Australia to 4-94 and claiming the scalps of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the first over after lunch.
Leading the charge was Jofra Archer, whose pace and bounce unsettled Australia’s top order. Support came from Will Jacks, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse, each chipping in with key wickets to keep the hosts under pressure.
On a pitch offering plenty for batters, Australia needed a rescue act, and it came in the form of local hero Alex Carey and late inclusion Usman Khawaja. The pair steadied the innings with a 91-run stand in the second session.
Khawaja, drafted in after Steve Smith’s late withdrawal, handled the spotlight with composure. Despite a reshuffle down the order, he crafted a fluent 82, letting his bat do the talking.
But the day belonged to Carey. Roared on by an Adelaide crowd, the South Australian wicketkeeper brought up his third Test century, and his first at Adelaide Oval. Carey fell late in the day, leaving Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon to resume the innings tomorrow.
At the end of play on Day One, Australia are 8-326.