Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Aids The Hosts Regroup From A Swift English Ashes Charge.

In the wake of that chaos from the Perth Test and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar brand of Test cricket returned at the Adelaide ground. For the locals, it was a day to cherish, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a sparkling hundred on his home turf to help the home side just shade the opening day.

However, England, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, could be entirely disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant coin toss and, though far from at their best, the English attack kept plugging away in scorching heat. At stumps, Australia had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs were a strong response against the scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing his captain both control together with obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat weary.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than a day after securing a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking around late afternoon as he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 off 143 balls ensured that the post-lunch wobble to 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, though. Absent was that excessive bounce of the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of nibble if the right area was located.

There was also a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with A Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by musician a rendition delivering a stirring version of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with nausea in the morning – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has periodically affected him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing outing for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, overstepping five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.