On a blistering hot opening day at the Adelaide Oval, wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey crafted a memorable hometown century and a last-minute replacement Usman Khawaja scored a vital 82 to anchor Australia to 326 for eight at stumps in the crucial third Ashes Test against England on Wednesday.
Century Heroics and Controversial Moments
Alex Carey, whose name became synonymous with the controversial Jonny Bairstow stumping in the 2023 Ashes, silenced critics with a superb 106 off 153 balls. He dedicated his maiden Ashes hundred to his late father and family. His innings was not without drama, however. On 72, England were convinced he was caught behind and reviewed, but Carey survived as the Snicko technology showed a noise spike before the ball reached the bat. Technology provider BBG Sports later admitted to a likely operator error, taking full responsibility.
"I love playing cricket and I understand what comes with playing professional sport," Carey said post-match, referencing past controversies. "You’re not always going to be liked. There’s heroes and villains — that’s all part of the game."
Khawaja's Gritty Knock and England's Fightback
Usman Khawaja, who stepped in for the unwell Steve Smith on the eve of his 39th birthday, made his opportunity count with a composed 82. He shared a crucial 91-run partnership with Carey to rebuild the innings after Australia found themselves at 33 for 2. England's pace spearhead Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for just 29 runs, including two in three balls after lunch. Spinner Will Jacks chipped in with the wickets of both top scorers, Khawaja and Carey.
Mitchell Starc, the player of the match in the first two Tests, remained unbeaten on 33, continuing his fine all-round form. The day was played in extreme heat, with temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius (95°F) and forecast to near 40°C (104°F) on Day 2, posing a severe challenge for the bowlers.
Context and Solemn Tributes
Australia, leading the five-match series 2-0 after wins in Perth and Brisbane under Steve Smith's captaincy, are in a strong position. England must win in Adelaide to keep their Ashes hopes alive. The match began with solemn tributes following the tragic terrorist attack in Sydney. Players wore black armbands, flags flew at half-mast, and a moment of silence was observed for the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach attack before the national anthems.
A record crowd of 56,298 at the Adelaide Oval witnessed the day's play, creating a special atmosphere for local hero Carey. "To make a hundred here in front of home fans and family, it was a great moment," he acknowledged. With the pitch still good for batting, Australia will look to build a formidable first-innings total, while England will aim to strike early on Day 2.
