Ashes 2025: Carey, Khawaja rescue Australia after Smith’s last-minute pullout in Adelaide

Steve Smith’s absence loomed large over the opening morning of the Adelaide Test, not due to form or selection calls, but because of a sudden, late withdrawal that left Australia without their talisman even before the first ball was delivered.

Smith walked out ahead of play to attempt his familiar pre-match routine, only for the dizziness that had troubled him in recent days to resurface. The decision was swift. He left the ground, returned to the team hotel, and was ruled out of the match.

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Cricket Australia later confirmed the issue, revealing Smith was dealing with recurring symptoms he has experienced before. “Over the past few days he has been feeling unwell, with symptoms including nausea and dizziness,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said. “He was assessed and monitored closely and was close to being available to play. However, given the persistence of symptoms, a decision was made not to proceed.

“He is being treated for a potential vestibular issue. This is something Steve has experienced intermittently in the past and is being managed accordingly. He is expected to be available for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.”

Smith had missed training on Monday, returned to the nets the following day looking below his best, and was also struck in the groin during the session, a sequence that foreshadowed his eventual withdrawal.

With Australia winning the toss, Pat Cummins, back as captain after missing the first two Tests, confirmed Smith’s absence and an unlikely replacement.

“Steve’s been feeling a bit unwell the last couple of days,” Cummins said. “He came and gave it a crack this morning but didn’t think he was going to get up for this one. So he’s headed off home. Pretty lucky we’ve got someone like Usman who can step right in. Usman will bat at No. 4.”

That decision thrust Usman Khawaja into the middle order less than 24 hours after he had been dropped from the squad. On the eve of his 39th birthday, Khawaja once again found himself living out a familiar career cycle, written off, recalled, and asked to rescue Australia. As he has done before.

England helped him early when Harry Brook spilled a regulation chance with Khawaja on five, and on a benign Adelaide surface under bright skies, the stage seemed set for something big. Khawaja didn’t quite get there, but his 82 proved vital, anchoring an innings that threatened to wobble repeatedly.

England, having lost the toss on a pitch offering little assistance, struck when opportunities arose and avoided being completely flattened. Brydon Carse struggled early, leaking boundaries, before Jofra Archer provided the breakthrough of Jake Weatherald fending awkwardly to leg slip where Jamie Smith held on. Travis Head followed soon after, Zak Crawley producing a superb diving catch at cover point to leave Australia 33 for 2.

Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne counter-punched with a brisk 61-run stand, with the veteran southpaw especially cashing in after his reprieve as England’s discipline briefly unraveled. But just as Australia appeared to settle, they stumbled again. Labuschagne pulled meekly to mid-wicket first ball after lunch, Cameron Green followed for a two-ball duck, and suddenly Australia were 94 for 4 on a pitch offering nothing.

Khawaja and Alex Carey then joined forces, adding 91. In the process, Khawaja reached a composed fifty, though England’s switch to a short-ball plan ultimately cost him the chance of a century when he holed out slog-sweeping Will Jacks.

Carey, however, carried on. Dropped on 52 by Carse, he punished England’s loose bowling and surged towards three figures. Josh Inglis briefly supported him before being bowled by Josh Tongue, and when Carse trapped Cummins at short leg, Australia were seven down and still short of 300.

Mitchell Starc again refused to yield, adding a vital, brisk partnership with Carey. The wicketkeeper reached a fine home century, his third in Tests and the first by a designated keeper in an Ashes Test since 2017, before falling softly for 106, top-edging an attempted slog sweep before Australia closed the day on 326 for 8.