Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Aids Australia Regroup After An Early England Test Series Assault.

After that pandemonium from Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar style regarding Test cricket was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the delighted locals, the day proved one to enjoy, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a magnificent century on his home venue to help Australia edge the opening day.

However, England, 2-0 down and still fighting in the series, were too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers continued toiling in scorching heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of initial ambitions when Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer for the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a strong response to the criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering his captain both control together with clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat weary.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following trousering a massive £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking around late afternoon when he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Coming off his virtuoso display with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 off 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left some runs out there, however. Absent was the excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of nibble when the right area was hit.

There was also a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so soon after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by musician a rendition performing a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts had also been forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled the star batter since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be finished. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, it remained still another disappointing day from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.