Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Assists Australia Recover After Early English Test Series Assault.

In the wake of that pandemonium of Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style regarding the longest format was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, it was one to savour, with homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered an outstanding hundred at his home venue to help Australia just shade day one.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in the series, could be entirely disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers continued persevering under scorching conditions. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely short of initial expectations after captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong riposte to some of criticism directed at him his way. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering Stokes a combination of control and clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – did he look a bit jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder that this sport can bring a player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket arriving less than a day following securing a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Coming off that virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 failed to develop into a complete crisis. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely Test match player these days.

Australia undoubtedly left some runs on the field, however. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of seam movement when the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn to Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and A Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was immaculately observed, followed by musician a rendition performing an emotional rendition of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts had also been compelled to make a change to their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 before crafting 82 from 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved significant.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping heat, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.