Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Assists The Hosts Recover From Early English Test Series Onslaught.

After that chaos from Perth and the Gabba's day-night palooza, a more familiar style of Test cricket was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved one to cherish, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding hundred at his home turf as Australia Australia edge the opening day.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in the series, could be entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being far from perfect, the English attack continued toiling in scorching heat. At stumps, Australia were 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely below their expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of scrutiny that came his way. Here he visibly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing his captain both accuracy and obvious menace. Only at the end of play – one over using the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.

After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a stark reminder that this sport can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours following trousering a record multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso display behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious cricketer nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left some potential runs out there, however. Absent was that excessive bounce from the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of seam movement if the right area was located.

There was also some grip to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change to their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be finished. Before Carey's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, overstepping five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.