Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Assists The Baggy Greens Recover After An Early English Ashes Assault.

After that chaos from Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more traditional style of the longest format was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted locals, it was one to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling century on his home venue as Australia the home side just shade day one.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, could be entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant toss and, despite being far from perfect, his bowlers continued persevering in sweltering conditions. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of initial ambitions after Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

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

The standout among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun and offering Stokes both accuracy together with obvious menace. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit jaded.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck was a reminder of how cricket can bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day after trousering a massive £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through the covers for three and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious cricketer these days.

Australia did leave some runs out there, though. Gone was that pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of nibble when the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered some grip for Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by musician John Williams delivering a stirring version of True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial.

England's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.