Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Aids The Hosts Bounce Back From A Swift England Ashes Onslaught.

After that pandemonium of the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the locals, it was a day to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a magnificent century on his home venue to help the home side edge the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this contest, were too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared an ominous coin toss and, despite being far from perfect, the English attack kept persevering under 35c conditions. At stumps, Australia were 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs were a powerful riposte against the scrutiny that came this past week. Here he visibly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control together with obvious threat. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary.

After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder that cricket can bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at late afternoon as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso outing with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that the mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely Test match player these days.

Australia did leave a few potential runs out there, though. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered some turn for Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the first ball was perfectly observed, followed by musician a rendition delivering a stirring rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts were also forced into a change to their announced XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and sickness in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently affected him since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career may be over. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey were significant.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, it remained still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, overstepping on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy cricket.