Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Assists The Hosts Bounce Back After A Swift English Test Series Onslaught.

Following that chaos from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more familiar brand regarding red-ball cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to savour, as homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered a magnificent hundred on his home ground to help Australia edge the first day's play.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the contest, could be too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant coin toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack continued plugging away under scorching conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely short of their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The standout for England was Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful answer against the criticism directed at him his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of control and obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit jaded.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a stark reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours after trousering a massive multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Ship.

Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from his virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 off 143 balls ensured that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was that excessive pace and bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble when a good length was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of grip to Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant occasion for Australia, coming so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change to their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has periodically affected the star batter since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved significant.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.