Carey goes from Ashes villain to hero with century in Adelaide heat

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ADELAIDE, Dec 17 - Hometown hero Alex Carey scored his first Ashes century to rescue Australia from a batting meltdown as Englands bowlers toiled in an Adelaide Oval cauldron on a scorching opening day of the third test on Wednesday.

Wicketkeeper Careys 106 helped drive Australia to 326 for eight ‍at stumps, ​with Mitchell Starc (33 not out) and Nathan Lyon, scoreless off 18 balls, having provided stubborn ‍tail-end resistance.

Batting at number four, Usman Khawaja capitalised on his late inclusion in place of an unwell Steve Smith, scoring 82 off 126 balls.

He and Carey combined in ​a crucial ​91-run stand that pulled the hosts from peril after they were reduced to 94 for four straight after lunch.

Trailing 2-0 in the series, Englands hopes of keeping the Ashes alive suffered an early blow when home captain Pat Cummins won the toss and put his team into ‍bat on a firm wicket begging for a big score.

By stumps, with the temperature still hovering around 35 degrees Celsius (95F),Englands prospects appeared bleak ​after Carey and Starc pushed the hosts past 300.

With day ⁠two expected to hit 39 degrees, the tourists will be desperate for quick wickets in the morning to avert another punishing day in the field.

MISSED CHANCES

Yet again, England had moments of ascendancy but they were unable to take their chances.

Khawaja was the chief beneficiary, being dropped on three by Harry Brook at second slip with a thick ​edge off the bowling of recalled paceman Josh Tongue.

A diving Brydon Carse put down a tougher chance to remove Carey for 52 when he smashed Archer into the covers.

Captain ‌Ben