Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps The Baggy Greens Regroup From A Swift English Ashes Onslaught.

In the wake of that pandemonium of the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style regarding the longest format broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, it was one to savour, as local hero Alex Carey produced a sparkling century on his home turf to help Australia just shade the opening day.

Not that England, 2-0 down while still fighting in the contest, could be too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away under sweltering heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely short of their expectations after Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The standout among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a powerful response against the scrutiny that came his way. Here he clearly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing his captain both accuracy together with obvious menace. It was only towards the end of play – one over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely 24 hours following securing a record multi-million dollar contract in the IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings.

Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking around late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94/4 failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely Test match player these days.

Australia undoubtedly left a few runs on the field, though. Gone was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was hit.

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

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Team Change.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically affected him since being felled by Archer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career may be finished. Until Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the series, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy cricket.