Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Helps The Baggy Greens Recover After An Early English Test Series Assault.

Following that chaos of the Perth Test and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style regarding the longest format returned at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to savour, as local hero Alex Carey delivered a sparkling hundred on his home ground as Australia the home side edge day one.

However, England, 2-0 down and clinging on in the series, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant coin toss and, though far from at their best, the English attack continued toiling under scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely short of their expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Effort.

The most impressive performer for England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs constituted a powerful response against the criticism that came his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of control and obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – one over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off that virtuoso display behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious cricketer these days.

Australia undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was that excessive bounce of the opening matches and in its place just a hint of nibble if the right area was located.

The pitch also offered some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context and A Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the first ball was perfectly held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into an alteration from their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea in the morning – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has periodically affected him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career could be finished. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.