Alex Carey and Usman Khawaja proved to be the top performers as Australia wrapped up the first day of the Adelaide Test on a strong note. While Carey became the first Australian wicketkeeper-batter in 12 years to score an Ashes ton, Khawaja made a brilliant return after missing out on the second match.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Australia didn't have the best of starts as Jofra Archer got rid of the in-form Jake Weatherald for 18 runs. Travis Head would depart in the very next over as Brydon Carse opened his account for the day, restricting the hosts down to 33/2. The duo of Marnus Labuschagne and Khawaja brought some much-needed stability to the innings and formed a solid partnership.
The 61-run stand saw the Aussies get close to the 100-run mark, but Labuschagne wouldn't be able to stay on the crease for long and was dismissed by Archer for 19 runs. The pacer went on to get rid of Cameron Green in the same over for a two-ball duck. With the Baggy Greens already being without Steve Smith for the match, the onus was now on Khawaja and Carey to deliver and they went on to exceed all expectations.
Khawaja and Carey's superb stand
The duo played some splendid shots and punished the English bowling attack. They formed a robust stand and it looked like Khawaja would end up scoring a century on his return, but Will Jacks had other ideas and dismissed the batter for 82. This wicket restricted Australia to 185/5, but this didn't stop Carey from continuing to smack boundaries at the Adelaide Oval and he was assisted well by Josh Inglis.
However, Inglis wasn't able to play a big knock and was sent back to the dugout for a qick-fire 32. Pat Cummins also failed to stay on the crease for long and was dismissed by Carse for 13 runs as Australia went down to 271/7. Fortunately for them, a 50-run partnership between Carey and Mitchell Starc saw them cross the 300-run mark and it also saw the former bring up his century.
Carey's century carries Australia
Carey became just the fourth Australian wicketkeeper-batter in history to score a hundred in The Ashes and it couldn't have come at the better time for the hosts. England did go on to eventually clinch Carey's wicket for 106 as Jacks got his second scalp of the day. The Baggy Greens ended up on 321/8 by the end of play with Starc unbeaten on 33 and Nathan Lyon yet to open his account. It remains to be seen as to how far will the tail-enders manage to take them as the play resumes on Day 2.