Ashes 2025-26 The historic Adelaide Oval hosted the third Test of the Ashes series on December 17, 2025 as England were straining to stay in the series. Following chastening losses in Perth and Brisbane, Ben Stokes’ side put in a resolute, controlled display with the ball as they took eight Australian wickets on a day that swung between English superiority and Australian resistance.
Three main threads made up the tale of the opening day – the last-minute, surprise absence of Steve Smith, a fiery spell as fast and aggressive from a resurgent Jofra Archer and an incredibly emotional hometown hundred from Alex Carey.
The Pre-Match Bombshell: Smith’s Illness
The morning started with a bombshell that reverberated through the 56,298 who filled this venue to its record Test match capacity. Steve Smith, the man who had taken Australia to 2-0 with what he himself called a campaign of dominant batting in the first two Tests, was ruled out just minutes before the toss. Stunned and dizzy, nauseous too, the loss of Smith meant there was no choice but to completely reshuffle their pack, with 39-year-old Usman Khawaja coming in on the eve of his birthday.
Khawaja, who had missed all but one match due to back problems during the summer, was walking into a furnace—both literally and emotionally. In temperatures exceeding 36C, the veteran left-hander barely looked like he’d had much of a break at all. A steadying hand Out-of-form Test batsman Usman Khawaja was dropped on 5 by Harry Brook in second slip yet braved his way to a stoic 82, the stabilising force Australia craved after Travis Head (10) and Jake Weatherald (18) fell early.
Archer’s Redemption: The Post-Lunch Blitz
If the morning made for Khawaja’s gritty, well, if not quite bloody recovery then Jofra Archer won back a period after lunch. Having been heavily criticised for being a bit tardy in the previous Tests, Archer dug deep to deliver a hostile, high-quality spell of fast bowling. He ended the day with 3-29 from 16 overs and put down a juicy reminder to the world that he’s England cricket‘s ultimate X-factor.
In a frenetic three-ball span, Archer burst the game open. On the break, he removed Marnus Labuschagne (19) with a delivery that nipped back to take the edge. Two balls later, he sent Cameron Green on his way for a duck to leave the Adelaide fans in silence. England were already planning on that final collapse when Australia slumped to 94-4, but they hadn’t accounted for their local hero.
The Home Town Hero:An Emotional Hundred for Alex Carey
The man of the match was undoubtedly Alex Carey. Under extreme heat and pressure waiting his turn to bat, the South Australian wicketkeeper-batter produced the innings of his life. Carey’s 106 from 143 deliveries was a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket. He combined standard aggression with some extraordinary nous and batted with so much certainty by taking on the occasional reverse sweep to disturb England’s spinners.
But as Carey reached his landmark – just his third Test century and first Ashes ton – he took the time to look up towards the skies at an emotional tribute to what would have been his late father Gordon who passed away in September. “To get a hundred here in front of the home fans and family, it was an amazing experience,” Carey said after play. His innings, along with crucial partnerships alongside Josh Inglis (32) and Mitchell Starc (33*), took Australia to 326-8 at stumps.
Stumps Analysis And Long Way To Go
The sun disappearing behind the Adelaide hills, the match was evenly poised. Mitchell Starc will be asked to wring out 40 more runs in the morning session, lifting it past 370. For England, it is straightforward – remove the final two wickets quickly and give themselves a daunting challenge on a pitch that is beginning to offer some turn. The bowlers’ physical durability will, with temperatures expected to climb to 40 degrees tomorrow, probably settle whether England can keep alive the hunt for the urn.
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