Day one of the third Ashes Test had a bit of everything, solid cricket, crucial partnerships, and one unforgettable knock from Alex Carey. Australia wrapped up at 326 for 8 after 83 overs. They built a solid platform, mostly by being patient and picking their shots wisely on a tricky pitch. England kept things interesting with steady wickets, but then Carey stepped up. His aggressive century really turned the tables and put Australia on top.
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Score at the end of Day 1 | 8/326 |
| England’s Top Performer (Bowling) | Jofra Archer (16 Overs, 3 Wickets, 5 Maidens) |
| Australia’s Top Performer (Batting) | Alex Carey (106 Runs in 143 balls, 8 fours, and 1 Six) |
| Best Fielding Performance | Zak Crawley (Stunning Catch of Travis Head) |
Morning Session: Careful Start After Early Wickets
Australia started out with a simple plan: stay patient at the crease, don’t take silly risks, and just bat. England’s bowlers didn’t make it easy. They stuck to tight lines and made the most of the early conditions. Australia lost two wickets before anyone could even finish their first coffee—37 for 2 after 12 overs. Not quite the start they wanted.
Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne stepped in and calmed things down. They didn’t go for flashy shots. Instead, they focused on defense and kept the singles ticking. England tried everything—short balls, tempting lines outside off—but these two wouldn’t bite. The runs didn’t flow, but at least the wickets stopped falling.
By lunch, Australia had crawled to 94 for 2 from 24 overs. Khawaja looked settled, and Labuschagne played the anchor. England kept control and set the tempo, but in the end, Australia walked away from the session in better shape—no more wickets lost, still very much in the game.
Afternoon Session: Khawaja Anchors, England Fights Back
After lunch, Australia picked up the pace a bit. Khawaja brought up his fifty—took him 81 balls, no fuss, just classic Khawaja: calm, steady, picking off the bad balls and leaving anything risky outside off.
They pushed past 150 runs late in the session, but then England fought back. A couple of big wickets, including Khawaja after his solid knock, really swung the mood. Suddenly, England looked right back in it.
Carey came in and immediately looked busy. He kept the runs ticking over, happy to go after the spinners when they gave him a bit of width. Still, the wickets kept falling—Australia just couldn’t settle.
By tea, Australia sat at 194 for 5 from 50 overs. The game was still wide open. England could feel they were in with a real shot at keeping the Aussies from running away with it.
Evening Session: Alex Carey Takes Control
Alex Carey owned the final session. He played with purpose, but he didn’t get reckless. First, he worked with Josh Inglis, then rallied with the tailenders, pulling Australia out of a tough spot and putting them firmly on top.
Carey’s fifty came off 75 balls, and you could see his confidence growing. He cracked drives through the covers and handled the sweep shot with ease. England tried to trip him up with two LBW reviews, but both calls went his way.
As Carey cruised into the 80s, Australia’s total ticked past 250. England kept chipping away at the other end, but Carey just kept going. He brought up his hundred from 135 balls a mix of calm control and sharp, calculated aggression. The crowd let him know how much they appreciated it, giving him a massive ovation for what turned into an Ashes classic.
Mitchell Starc stuck with him, and together they pushed Australia beyond 300. England finally managed to get Carey out late in the day, but by then he’d already done the damage.
At stumps, Australia sat at 326 for 8. Starc was still there, and Nathan Lyon stood alongside him.
Key Performances Of The Day
Alex Carey stole the show. His century flipped the mood of the innings and made England pay for every mistake in the field. Usman Khawaja chipped in too, grinding out a calm fifty at the top.
England’s bowlers didn’t back down. They kept things tight and kept picking up wickets, stopping Australia from taking control too soon.
What Day 1 Means For The Test
Australia heads into Day 2 with plenty of confidence. They look on track to push past 350, which would really crank up the pressure on England’s batters. Still, if England’s bowlers sort out the tail fast in the morning, they can keep things from getting out of hand.
The pitch offered some nice bounce and carry. Batting’s tough, but not impossible—there’s something in it for everyone. Day 1 had its swings; both teams grabbed control at different points, so things feel wide open.
