Australia vs England: A Battle for Cricket Supremacy

Explore the thrilling rivalry between Australia vs England, from historic matches to player highlights. Discover stats, insights, and more on this iconic showdown.

Carey’s Masterclass Rescues Australia: Day 1 Recap of the 3rd Ashes Test

Adelaide | December 17, 2025 — On a sweltering opening day at the Adelaide Oval, hometown hero Alex Carey etched his name into Ashes folklore. His defiant century steered Australia to a competitive 326/8 at stumps, dragging the hosts back from the brink after a clinical morning spell from the English pace attack.

The Situation: Series on the Line

Australia entered the 3rd Test with a commanding 2-0 series lead after back-to-back victories in Perth and Brisbane. For Ben Stokes’ England, this match is a “must-win” to keep their hopes of reclaiming the urn alive. However, the visitors were met with 36°C heat and a determined Australian middle order.

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Day 1 Breakdown: High Drama in Adelaide

1. The Shock Omission and Early Wobble

The day began with a bombshell: Steve Smith was ruled out of the match due to illness. This paved the way for a dramatic return for Usman Khawaja, who had originally been dropped for this Test. England capitalised on the unsettled Aussie top order, with Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse reducing the hosts to 94/4 shortly after lunch.

2. The Carey & Khawaja Stand

In front of a record-breaking crowd of over 56,000, Alex Carey and Khawaja stitched together a crucial 91-run partnership.

• Usman Khawaja (82): Playing a stoic, veteran knock, Khawaja silenced critics before falling to the spin of Will Jacks.
• Alex Carey (106): In an emotional milestone following the loss of his father earlier this year, Carey reached his third Test century. He became Australia’s leading run-scorer in 2025 during the process.

3. England’s Late Fightback

Just as Australia looked set for a 350+ score, England’s persistence paid off. Jofra Archer (3/29) was the pick of the bowlers, showing immense pace despite the heat. Late wickets, including those of Captain Pat Cummins and Carey himself, ensured the day ended with the honors arguably even.

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Australia vs England: Key Match Statistics (Day 1 Stumps)

Team	Score	Top Performer
Australia	326/8 (83 Overs)	Alex Carey (106), Usman Khawaja (82)
England	To Bat	Jofra Archer (3/29), Will Jacks (2/61)

Controversy Corner: England is reportedly considering a formal complaint regarding a potential technology failure (Snicko) during an LBW shout against Carey when he was on 72. Had the decision gone England’s way, the match could look very different.

Australia vs England: What to Expect on Day 2

Australia will look to push their total toward 375 with Mitchell Starc (33)* and Nathan Lyon at the crease. England’s “Bazball” approach will then face its biggest test yet on a pitch that is expected to favor batting as the game progresses, but may offer turn for the spinners later in the evening.

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