Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Aids The Hosts Regroup From An Early England Test Series Charge.

Following the chaos from Perth as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of traditional brand of the longest format broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved one to savour, with their boy Alex Carey notched up a magnificent hundred on his home ground as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in the series, were too disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack continued plugging away in scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below their expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The most impressive performer for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte to the scrutiny that came this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of accuracy and clear threat. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket occurring barely a day following securing a record multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at late afternoon as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious cricketer nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left some runs on the field, though. Absent was that excessive bounce of the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if a good length was located.

There was also a bit of grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for the host nation, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change from their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy and nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently affected him since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be over. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping conditions, it remained still another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the series, finishing with two for 70 off his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy play.