Usman Khawaja and the in-form Alex Carey rescued Australia from Jofra Archer’s fiery spell, guiding the hosts past the 300 mark after coming together at a crucial stage.
Many viewers were left surprised when Australia’s XI flashed up on television. A day after being left out of the original team announcement, Khawaja’s name suddenly appeared in the line-up. With his career seemingly at a crossroads, the experienced batter made the most of the unexpected opportunity. Walking in during a collapse, Alex Carey produced a superb century, while Khawaja played a vital supporting role. Together, they withstood Archer’s onslaught and lifted Australia beyond 300.
The opening day of the Ashes Test in Adelaide delivered a gripping contest between bat and ball. Australia closed the day on 326 for 8.
Carey was eventually dismissed for 106, his third Test hundred. The wicketkeeper-batter described the home-ground century as a “special innings,” achieved in front of his mother, wife and children.
Khawaja, drafted into the XI at the last moment, contributed a valuable 82. The innings has breathed new life into a career that had appeared to be fading.
The Test began dramatically with Khawaja’s inclusion. Steven Smith was ruled out after experiencing dizziness and nausea, struggling with balance issues. After batting in the nets in the morning, Smith assessed his condition, spoke with the coach and left the ground. Khawaja was then slotted in at number four in his place.
Australia, after winning the toss and opting to bat, made a steady start but neither opener managed a big score. Jake Weatherald was dismissed for 18 by a rising Archer delivery, while the next over saw Travis Head depart for 10, brilliantly caught by Zak Crawley at point off Brydon Carse.
Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne added 61 for the third wicket, but Archer changed the course of the game immediately after lunch, removing Labuschagne and Cameron Green within three balls.
That set the stage for the Khawaja-Carey partnership. Carey continued his rich vein of form, while Khawaja, who had struggled for runs and rhythm in recent times, finally looked back to his best. Grabbing the chance with both hands, he found his old fluency as the pair absorbed the pressure and moved the innings forward at a healthy pace.
Khawaja had batted at number four only twice before in Tests — once against Sri Lanka in 2016 and again earlier in this series due to circumstances — and was dismissed cheaply on both occasions. However, his first-class record at the position includes 10 centuries at an average of 53.15, a pedigree he showcased this time on the Test stage.
For a while, it seemed Khawaja might cap the comeback with a century, but his innings ended on 82 from 126 balls after he slog-swept Will Jacks’ off-spin. The partnership was worth 91.
Carey then put on another half-century stand with Josh Inglis, who looked promising before falling for 32. Returning captain Pat Cummins could not offer much support either.
Carey, though, stayed focused on the milestone, bringing up his hundred from 135 balls. His innings, like Khawaja’s, ended with a slog-sweep off Jacks.
Mitchell Starc, who had tormented England with both bat and ball in the previous Test, chipped in with an unbeaten 33, while Nathan Lyon remained at the crease without scoring from 18 balls.
Archer was outstanding with the ball for England, but he found little support from the rest of the attack.
Brief scores
- Australia 1st innings: 326/8 in 83 overs (Head 10, Weatherald 18, Labuschagne 19, Khawaja 82, Green 0, Carey 106, Inglis 32, Cummins 13, Starc 33*, Lyon 0*; Archer 16-5-29-3, Carse 13-0-70-2, Tongue 15-1-63-1, Stokes 19-3-53-0, Jacks 20-3-105-2).
