Australia Posts 326/8 on Day 1 of Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval

Australia entered Day 1 of the 3rd Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval with a score of 326/8 by the end of play. Despite a shaky start, the team rallied, with Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey delivering standout performances that helped stabilize the innings.

The day began with the absence of Steve Smith, who was withdrawn shortly before play due to persistent symptoms of dizziness and nausea, as confirmed by Cricket Australia. Khawaja stepped into the lineup, batting at No. 4 after captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first.

Initially, Australia faced challenges as openers Jake Weatherald and Travis Head provided a steady start but fell to quick dismissals by Jofra Archer. The pair departed in consecutive overs, leaving the team at a precarious 94/2. Khawaja then formed a crucial partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, adding 61 runs for the third wicket to keep Australia afloat.

Archer made an immediate impact after lunch, claiming two wickets in the first over, which included Labuschagne and Cameron Green. This brought Australia to 94/4, raising concerns of a middle-order collapse. However, Khawaja, who had faced doubts about his place in the team, responded with a commanding performance, reaching a half-century.

Khawaja’s innings of 82 runs came off 126 balls and included 10 fours. His dismissal in the 48th over, where he attempted a slog sweep only to be caught by Will Jacks, left Australia at 185/5. Despite the setback, Carey showcased remarkable resilience, stepping in during a challenging period for the Australian side.

Carey and Khawaja’s partnership yielded 91 runs, and following Khawaja’s departure, Carey continued to build the innings. He shared a vital 59-run stand with Josh Inglis, pushing Australia closer to the 250 mark. Even as wickets fell, Carey remained steadfast and reached his century off 135 balls in the 73rd over.

This century held special significance for Carey, as he dedicated the achievement to his late father, Gordon Carey, who passed away in September 2023. Carey ultimately scored 106 runs from 143 balls, hitting 8 fours and 1 six, making him the fourth Australian wicket-keeper to score a century in the Ashes, joining the ranks of Adam Gilchrist, Brad Haddin, and Ian Healy.

As the day concluded, Australia faced the new ball with a score of 321/8 after Carey’s dismissal. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon remained unbeaten, with Starc contributing 33 runs off 63 balls. Archer finished the day as England’s leading bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 29 runs across 16 overs, while Ben Stokes bowled the final over of the day.

Australia’s Day 1 performance showcased determination and resilience, setting the stage for a competitive match as they look to capitalize on their solid start in the Ashes series.