Carey’s Controversial Ton Puts Australia on Top

AFP/APP

Adelaide, Australia: An emotional Alex Carey slammed a controversial 106 on his home ground and Usman Khawaja hit a defiant 82 on Wednesday to put Australia in the driving seat of the third Ashes Test against England.

Batting after captain Pat Cummins won the toss as temperatures topped 36 degrees Celsius at Adelaide Oval, the hosts were 326-8 at stumps on day one after the shock of Steve Smith being ruled out with illness. Mitchell Starc was not out 33 and Nathan Lyon was yet to score.

“To make a hundred here in front of home fans and family was special,” Carey said, although it was shrouded in controversy over a let-off on 72.

Carey conceded he likely edged a delivery from England quick Josh Tongue that was caught behind by Jamie Smith.

“I thought there was a feather or some sort of noise when it passed the bat,” he said.

“If I was given out I think I would have reviewed it, probably not confidently.”

He was given not out and England failed to have the decision overturned on review, with replays showing a noise spike before the ball reached his bat.

The “snicko” technology’s operator, BBG, admitted to reporters after play that there had likely been an error, with England raising the matter with match referee Jeff Crowe.

“I don’t think we’ve done anything about it so far but after today, maybe that might go a bit further,” said England bowling consultant David Saker.

The controversy overshadowed Carey’s maiden Ashes ton, which saw him gesture towards the sky in a nod to his father Gordon, who died from cancer in September.

“I guess you know as well why I was looking to the heavens. I’m trying not to tear up. But, no, it was great,” he said.

A tireless Jofra Archer finished with 3-29 on a tough day for England’s bowlers.

“I thought it was a good performance from our bowlers, the heat took us a bit by surprise,” said Saker.

“The boys toiled away.”

Khawaja reprieve

Australia lead the five-Test series 2-0 and will retain the Ashes if they win or draw, after back-to-back eight-wicket thumpings in Perth and Brisbane.

Smith, who has more than 10,000 Test runs, had been feeling unwell in the lead-up but was named in the side on Tuesday. He took part in the morning warm-up but left 20 minutes before the toss, shaking his head.

His absence gave an unexpected reprieve to Khawaja, who had been overlooked as opener in favour of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald.

Khawaja, who missed Brisbane after suffering back spasms in Perth, grabbed his chance with a stoic knock. He was eventually out just before tea, slog-sweeping to Tongue in the deep off the spin of Will Jacks.

Carey then picked up the mantle, first alongside Josh Inglis (32), then Cummins (13), and latterly Starc, who once more showed his prowess with the bat.

Carey hit eight fours and a six in his third Test century, bringing up the milestone in front of family, friends and 56,298 fans — the biggest cricket crowd ever at the venue.

Archer burst

A blistering first over after lunch from Archer left Australia reeling at 94-4. He removed Marnus Labuschagne for 19 with his first ball after the interval.

Two deliveries later Cameron Green was gone, with Brydon Carse collecting catches at midwicket to dismiss both batters.

Inglis and Cummins fell in the final session to Tongue and Carse respectively.

Players from both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting. A moment of silence was held before the game, with security tightened and flags flying at half-mast.

Earlier, Weatherald raced to 18 but his gung-ho approach cost him against Archer, who fired down a bouncer and induced a top edge to Smith.

Head followed next over for 10, with Zak Crawley taking a sensational low catch to his left off Carse.

Khawaja, on five, survived when Harry Brook dropped a sitter at second slip and went on to bring up his 28th Test fifty to big cheers.

Carey had another life on 52 when Carse put down a difficult chance in the covers, and the 34-year-old made the most of it before falling just before the close when he top-edged Jacks to Smith.