Australia made their mark right from the start on Day 1 of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval. They won the toss, chose to bat, and finished the day at 326 for 8 after 83 overs. Alex Carey stole the show with a fantastic century, while Usman Khawaja chipped in with steady support. The runs kept coming, partnerships built up, and just when things looked settled, wickets fell and kept things interesting. The match feels equal after a busy first day.
| Score at the end of day 1 | Australia 326/08 |
| England’s top performer | Jofra Archer 16 overs 5 maidens 29 runs 3 wickets |
| Australia’s top performer | Alex Carrey 106 of 143 with 8 fours and 1 six |
| Fielder of the day | Zak Crawley dismissed Head with a one-handed stunner. |
Morning Session: England Strike Early, Khawaja Holds Firm
Australia got a bright, sunny start, but England’s bowlers jumped in right away. Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse came charging in—fast, accurate, and not giving much away. Scoring runs in that first hour? Not easy at all.
England’s pressure worked. Jake Weatherald made it to 18 before Jamie Smith caught him off Archer’s bowling. Not long after, Travis Head never looked comfortable and ended up edging one to Zak Crawley, as he took a stunner, this time off Carse. Suddenly, Australia had slipped to 33 for 2. England couldn’t have asked for a better opening.
Usman Khawaja, though, stayed cool. He left the good balls alone and punished anything loose. Marnus Labuschagne backed him up for a while, but then Archer got him too—Labuschagne was out for 19 just before drinks. Even with wickets falling, Australia reached 37 for 2 at the first break and made their way to 50 runs in 15.1 overs.
Khawaja kept things steady. He made sure Australia didn’t lose its grip on the game. By lunch, they’d reached 94 for 2 in 24 overs. Khawaja looked solid on 41, but Labuschagne was already back in the pavilion.
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Afternoon Session: Khawaja Fifty, Carey Takes Charge
Khawaja looked increasingly comfortable as the second session got underway. He cruised to a well-deserved fifty off 81 balls, hitting six boundaries along the way. England tried mixing things up with their bowlers, but Khawaja barely blinked — he handled both pace and spin without much trouble.
Australia hit the 100-run mark just before the 26th over. Then England snagged 2 wickets in 3 deliveries. Cameron Green didn’t last long, nicking Archer to the slips for a duck. Not long after, Will Jacks bowled Khawaja for 82, and suddenly Australia were 185 for 5.
Alex Carey walked out next, and you could feel the mood shift. He looked busy at the crease, rotating the strike and pouncing on anything short. Josh Inglis chipped in with a quick 32 off 39 balls at the other end.
By tea, Australia were 194 for 5 after 50 overs, with Carey still there on 48. England kept chipping away with wickets, but as long as Carey stuck around, Australia looked steady enough.
Evening Session: Carey’s Century Lifts Australia
Alex Carey owned the final session. He looked comfortable right from the start, brought up his fifty in 75 balls, and just kept going. England tried to send him back twice with reviews, but both calls went Carey’s way. You could see the frustration building in the fielders.
Australia cruised past 200 in the 52nd over, and Carey kept finding partners. Inglis chipped in before getting out, then Pat Cummins added 13 more. Carey barely flinched, just kept the runs coming.
When Australia hit 250, Carey started closing in on a well-earned hundred. It was an emotional hundred as he dedicated it to his late father. It was his 3rd test hundred and 1st in the Ashes. He got there with eight fours and a six, reaching three figures in 135 balls. The Adelaide crowd loved it. They stood and cheered, and honestly, he deserved every bit of it.
England finally got Carey for 106, but he’d already set Australia up nicely. Mitchell Starc stepped in, played some shots, and ended the day unbeaten on 33. Nathan Lyon stuck around with him.
Australia crossed 300 before the 72nd over, and England picked up the new ball after 80. By stumps on day 1, Australia sat comfortably at 326 for 8, with Starc and Lyon still there.
Day 1 Summary
Day 1 had a bit of everything, but it’s Australia walking off happier. England came out strong with the ball, knocked over some big names, but just couldn’t keep the pressure on. Khawaja stayed cool at the crease, and Carey really lit things up with his century. Because of them, Australia ended up ahead.
Now, with two wickets left and more runs on offer, Australia will try to push their total closer to 380 on Day 2. England wants to mop up the tail quickly and keep itself in the hunt.
This third Test has kicked off with real energy—plenty of skill, momentum shifting back and forth. If the first day is anything to go by, we’re in for a cracking few days.
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