Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Aids The Hosts Bounce Back After An Early English Test Series Charge.

After that frenzy from the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more familiar brand regarding Test cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, the day proved one to enjoy, as their boy Alex Carey delivered a sparkling century on his home turf as Australia Australia edge the opening day.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this series, could be too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack kept toiling under sweltering conditions. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of their ambitions after Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The standout for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte to the criticism that came this past week. On this day he clearly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering Stokes a combination of control and clear threat. Only at the very end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look a bit weary.

Having dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than a day following trousering a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, culminating around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso display with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement when a good length was located.

There was also some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – hence expensive 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 Context and A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so soon in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by musician John Williams performing a stirring version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia were also forced into a change to their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and sickness in the morning – seemingly return of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled him ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two before crafting 82 off 126 deliveries just a day before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.