Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Aids Australia Recover After A Swift England Test Series Charge.

Following the pandemonium of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more traditional style of the longest format was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to cherish, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling hundred on his home ground as Australia the home side edge day one.

Not that England, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being far from perfect, his bowlers continued persevering in sweltering heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely short of their ambitions when Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among England was Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful response to some of criticism that came this past week. On this day he clearly led the attack, clocking 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer while providing Stokes both control and clear threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck served as a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket occurring barely a day following securing a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Innings Rescues The Ship.

Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave some runs on the field, though. Absent was that pronounced bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was located.

There was also a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context and A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so shortly after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by musician John Williams delivering a stirring version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia were also forced into an alteration from their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be finished. Before Carey's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.