Justin Langer challenges England to take charge in 'batting paradise' in third NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes Test in Adelaide

England took eight wickets on day one of the third NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes Test to leave Australia on 326-8 at the end of the first day. Despite strong innings' from Alex Carey - who scored a century - and Usman Khawaja, England had the better of the opening stages in Adelaide. Former Australia coach Justin Langer has challenged England to take charge of the Test and get back in the series.

Justin Langer says England must take their chance in "batting paradise" to claw themselves back into the NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes series.

Ben Stokes’ side - who are 2-0 down after defeats in Perth and Brisbane - took eight Australian wickets for 326 runs on day one of the third Test in Adelaide.

Despite Alex Carey reaching a century and Usman Khawaja adding 82, England had a good day with openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald falling for less than 20 runs each and Marnus Labuschagne dismissed for 19.

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Jofra Archer starred with the ball as the England fast bowler took three wickets for 29 runs, while Brydon Carse and Will Jacks each got a pair and Josh Tongue saw off Josh Inglis.

Tongue would have had two if Carey had not enjoyed a huge stroke of fortune as Snicko failed to give him out when he was caught behind.

England need two more wickets on day two to put themselves in to bat for their first innings, and former Australia player and coach Langer thinks they have the ideal opportunity to impose themselves on the series.

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"I think it’s a road," Langer told TNT Sports.

"What you know as an Australian cricketer is, if you’re a batter, you come and you cash in at Adelaide Oval.

"You think about the last two Tests. There’s plenty of life, plenty of bounce in Perth, plenty of life and under lights in Brisbane. If you get a start here, you’re going to get 100 like Alex Carey.

"For Alex Carey to be driving on the up like he was, this is a very good wicket. England are going to have to go big, though, because the main difference, I think, is Nathan Lyon.

"It’s going to be 40 degrees tomorrow, it’s going to start spinning. Mark my words, it’s going to start spinning here, so England are going to have to capitalise on this very flat wicket."

Former England bowler Graeme Swann thinks Stokes’ side have put themselves in a great position.

"Eight wickets on that pitch on day one is perfect," Swann told TNT Sports.

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"Obviously, England now need to turn up tomorrow and do the job, get the other two wickets.

"But I firmly believe that on that pitch, which is a very good batting pitch - 450, 500 minimum in the first innings is going to win you the Test match."

Responding to Swann’s call for England to post 450-500 runs, Langer said: "England have to be thinking ‘we only want to bat once here’ and it’s that flat a wicket.

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"I didn’t see a ball swing all day [on day one], I didn’t see a ball seam all day, it didn’t bounce much so this is a batting paradise.

"Australia will be disappointed they’re not three or four down at stumps. England have done well to get them eight [wickets]. England will want to bat once or at least have a small run chase at the end of the game."

Australia will resume on 326-8 on day two, with Mitchell Starc (33) and Nathan Lyon (0) at the crease.

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