Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps Australia Recover After An Early England Test Series Assault.

After that frenzy from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand regarding Test cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to savour, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling hundred at his home venue as Australia the home side edge the opening day.

However, England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the series, could be entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial toss and, though far from perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away in sweltering heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below their expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful answer against the criticism directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and clear menace. It was only towards the very end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's duck served as a reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day after securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking around late afternoon when he drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Fresh from his masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few runs out there, however. Gone was that excessive bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was located.

The pitch also offered some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with Late Team Change.

This was always going to be an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the start of play was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with sickness first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has periodically affected the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, walking out at 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were significant.

England's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, it remained still another disappointing outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.