After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia were put under early pressure as England struck twice in the first hour. Jofra Archer removed opener Jake Weatherald for 18, while Brydon Carse dismissed Travis Head for 10. Khawaja and returning Marnus Labuschagne then stabilised the innings with a cautious partnership.
England regained momentum after lunch. Archer accounted for Labuschagne for 19 and followed it up by dismissing Green without scoring, just 24 hours after Kolkata Knight Riders signed the all-rounder for ₹25.20 crore at the IPL auction. Carey then took control, counterattacking with assurance to compile 106 off 147 balls, an innings featuring eight fours and a six.
Carey later revealed the hundred was dedicated to his late father, Gordon, who passed away in September after a prolonged illness. Khawaja narrowly missed out on a century, falling for 82 to Will Jacks, who also removed Carey to end a threatening stand.
Archer finished as England’s standout bowler with figures of 3 for 29, while Carse and Jacks claimed two wickets each. At stumps, Mitchell Starc (33 not out) and Nathan Lyon (0 not out) ensured Australia closed the day without further damage.
Australia were without Steve Smith, who was ruled out shortly before the match due to ongoing dizziness and nausea. Both teams wore black armbands in tribute to victims of a recent terror attack in Sydney.
Brief scores: Australia 326/8 (Carey 106, Khawaja 82; Archer 3/29).
