Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps The Hosts Bounce Back From An Early English Ashes Onslaught.

In the wake of the pandemonium of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of familiar style regarding Test cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the locals, it was one to cherish, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a sparkling century on his home ground as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the contest, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, though far from at their best, the English attack kept persevering under sweltering heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely short of their expectations after Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback.

The most impressive performer for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte against some of criticism that came this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of control and clear menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary.

After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder of how cricket can bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than a day after securing a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, however, was simply priceless, culminating at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave some runs on the field, however. Absent was the 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 some grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with A Late Team Change.

This was always going to be an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so soon after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the start of play was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring version of True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts had also been compelled to make a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and sickness in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo which has periodically troubled the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord's six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career may be over. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out at 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, it remained still another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the series, picking up two for 70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.