Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Assists The Hosts Regroup From Early England Test Series Assault.

After that pandemonium from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more familiar style of red-ball cricket was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to cherish, as their boy Alex Carey delivered a magnificent century at his home ground as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while still fighting in this contest, were too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like an ominous coin toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack kept persevering under 35c heat. At stumps, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below initial ambitions after Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The standout among the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong response against the criticism directed at him this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of control and obvious menace. It was only towards the end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day after securing a massive multi-million dollar contract in the IPL.

Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, culminating at late afternoon when he drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs and the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off his masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player these days.

Australia undoubtedly left some runs out there, though. Absent was the pronounced bounce from the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement if a good length was located.

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

Solemn Context with Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant occasion for Australia, coming so soon after a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia had also been compelled to make a change from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness along with nausea in the morning – seemingly return of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected him since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Until Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries just a day before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating day for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was all over the shop when handed sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy play.