Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Assists The Hosts Recover From An Early England Ashes Onslaught.

Following the chaos of the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more traditional style of Test cricket broke out at Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, it was one to enjoy, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a magnificent century at his home ground as Australia the home side edge day one.

Not that England, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, could be too disappointed. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers kept plugging away under 35c heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below initial expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from 16 overs constituted a powerful response to some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of accuracy together with clear threat. Only at the very end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit jaded.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm when he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs on the field, however. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble when a good length was hit.

There was also a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the start of play was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into an alteration from their announced XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically affected him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career could be finished. Before Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the innings together, coming to the crease at 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, finishing with two for 70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy cricket.