Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Helps The Baggy Greens Recover From A Swift England Ashes Assault.

Following the chaos of the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night palooza, an outbreak of familiar style regarding red-ball cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to enjoy, with their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling hundred on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.

Not that England, 2-0 down and still fighting in this series, were entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant toss and, though far from perfect, the English attack kept persevering in scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below their expectations after captain Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The standout among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a strong riposte to some of scrutiny that came his way. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer while providing his captain both control and obvious menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours following trousering a record multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 deliveries ensured that the mid-innings stumble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely cricketer these days.

Australia undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, though. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if a good length was located.

The pitch also offered a bit of grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context with Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional rendition of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – seemingly return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings together, coming to the crease at 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, overstepping five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.