Adelaide, 17 December 2025:
Alex Carey struck a composed century to steady Australia after early losses and lift the hosts to 326 for 8 on the opening day of the third Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.
Australia, sent in after winning the toss, were wobbling at 94 for 4 before Carey combined with Usman Khawaja to rebuild the innings. Carey finished the day with 106 from 143 balls, his eighth Test hundred, while Khawaja made a patient 82 as Australia recovered on a surface offering movement early and true bounce later.
Mitchell Starc was unbeaten on 33 and Nathan Lyon on 0 at stumps, with Australia well placed to push beyond 350 on day two.
England made early inroads under clear skies, with Jofra Archer leading an incisive opening spell. Archer removed Jake Weatherald for 18 and Marnus Labuschagne for 19, while Brydon Carse dismissed Travis Head for 10 as Australia slipped to 33 for 2 inside the first 10 overs.
Cameron Green departed for a duck soon after lunch, edging Archer to slip, leaving Australia at 94 for 4 and in need of a stabilizing partnership. Khawaja and Carey responded with a stand of 91, batting through the afternoon session to blunt England’s attack.
Khawaja reached his fifty from 81 balls but was out shortly after tea, caught at backward point off Will Jacks for 82. Carey, however, pressed on, reaching his half-century from 75 balls and later surviving two England reviews before bringing up his hundred from 135 deliveries, highlighted by crisp drives and deft work square of the wicket.
Josh Inglis added a brisk 32 before falling to Josh Tongue, and Pat Cummins chipped in with 13. Carey was finally dismissed late in the day, caught behind off Carse, but his eighth-wicket partnership of 50 with Starc ensured Australia closed strongly.
Archer was the pick of England’s bowlers with 3 for 29 from 16 overs, consistently threatening with pace and bounce. Carse took 2 for 70, while Jacks also claimed two wickets but conceded 105 runs.
Play resumes Thursday with Australia looking to extend their first-innings total, while England will aim to wrap up the tail quickly to keep the match finely balanced.
Scores in brief:
3rd Test, The Ashes
Adelaide Oval, Day 1 (Dec. 17, 2025)
Australia chose to bat
Australia 1st innings: 326/8 in 83 overs
Alex Carey 106, Usman Khawaja 82, Mitchell Starc 33*
Jofra Archer 3-29, Brydon Carse 2-70, Will Jacks 2-105
