Jofra Archer’s pace, persistence and control ensured England stayed firmly in the contest on the opening day of the third Ashes Test, as Australia were restricted to 326 for 8 on a surface made for big runs. Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain were united in their praise for the fast bowler, hailing his performance as the standout of a day that could have swung decisively Australia’s way.
Archer finished with 3 for 29 from 16 overs, operating at close to 90mph in oppressive Adelaide heat. He struck early by removing Jake Weatherald, then delivered a double blow immediately after lunch, dismissing Marnus Labuschagne with the first ball of the session and Cameron Green two deliveries later to leave Australia reeling at 94 for 4.
“I thought Archer led the attack really well today,” Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Ashes Daily. “He came in for a lot of criticism at The Gabba from former Australian players – some of it understandable, some of it not. He was fast in his opening spell, took wickets in his second, and bowled a very economical third. He led the attack excellently.”
Nasser Hussain echoed those sentiments, pushing back against criticism Archer received in Brisbane for bowling at high pace when the game appeared lost. “I thought the reaction last game was a bit odd,” Hussain said. “Fast bowlers have always gone hard when they know they only have a short spell. It’s Jofra – he runs in and bowls like that all the time. He puts in the effort and got his rewards today, on a very flat surface.”
Despite Alex Carey’s maiden Ashes century anchoring the innings, Atherton felt Australia failed to fully capitalise after winning the toss and batting first on what he described as a “belting” pitch. The numbers, he noted, were telling: since 2000, Australia have been bowled out for under 400 just once when batting first in day matches at Adelaide.
“If you take eight wickets, you’re pretty satisfied,” Atherton said from England’s perspective. “But Australia will look at the manner of some dismissals – Travis Head driving uppishly, Labuschagne out first ball after lunch, Green chipping aimlessly to midwicket – and think they fluffed their lines.”
Hussain agreed, suggesting Australia could have all but sealed the series. “They fought back with a brilliant hundred from Carey, but there were some soft dismissals in there,” he said. “Australia could have been 330 for 4 at the end of day one and put the series to bed.”
Instead, England’s discipline with the ball has kept the third Test finely poised. On a scorching, flat Adelaide Oval surface, Archer’s spells provided the cutting edge, while Australia were left to reflect on a day that promised domination but ended with opportunity missed. Now, with the match finely balanced, the onus shifts to England’s batters to turn Archer’s work into something more tangible and keep the Ashes alive.
