Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps The Hosts Regroup After An Early English Ashes Onslaught.

In the wake of that pandemonium from Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar style regarding Test cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the locals, it was one to enjoy, as homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered a magnificent hundred at his home ground as Australia Australia just shade the opening day.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in this contest, could be too disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers kept persevering under 35c conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of their expectations after Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs were a powerful answer against the criticism that came this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing Stokes both accuracy together with clear menace. Only at the very end of play – one over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit jaded.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than a day after securing a massive £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was simply invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off his masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few runs out there, though. Gone was the excessive bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when a good length was hit.

The pitch also offered some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context and Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by musician a rendition delivering an emotional version of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make an alteration from their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness along with nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently affected the star batter since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career could be finished. Until Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 and crafting 82 from 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy cricket.