Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Aids The Baggy Greens Recover From A Swift England Ashes Charge.

In the wake of that pandemonium from Perth as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style regarding red-ball cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, it was a day to cherish, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a sparkling hundred on his home venue to help Australia just shade day one.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while still fighting in this series, were too disheartened. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant toss and, despite being far from perfect, his bowlers kept toiling under 35c heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs were a powerful riposte against the scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy together with clear threat. Only at the very end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look a bit weary.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than a day after securing a massive £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm when he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off that masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, however. Absent was the excessive bounce from the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located.

There was also a bit of grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by musician John Williams performing a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and nausea first thing – seemingly return of the vertigo which has intermittently troubled him ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 off his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.