Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Assists The Hosts Bounce Back From An Early England Ashes Charge.

Following that pandemonium of Perth as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more traditional brand regarding red-ball cricket broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, the day proved one to enjoy, as homegrown talent Alex Carey produced an outstanding century on his home turf to help Australia just shade the first day's play.

However, England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this contest, could be entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being not perfect, his bowlers kept persevering in 35c conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below their ambitions when Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

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

The most impressive performer for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs were a strong answer against some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing his captain both control together with clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a stark reminder that cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely a day after trousering a record £1.5m contract in the IPL.

Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.

Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at late afternoon as he drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso display with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old is a serious cricketer these days.

Australia undoubtedly left a few potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the pronounced bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was located.

There was also some grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and A Late Switch.

This was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently troubled him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be over. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the innings together, walking out at 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone cricket.