Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Hosts Recover From A Swift English Test Series Charge.

After that chaos from Perth as well as the Gabba's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style regarding red-ball cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling hundred at his home venue as Australia Australia just shade day one.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in the series, were too disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant coin toss and, though far from at their best, the English attack continued persevering in scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their ambitions after Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs were a powerful answer to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer while providing his captain a combination of accuracy and clear threat. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Ship.

Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer these days.

Australia undoubtedly left some runs out there, however. Absent was the pronounced bounce of the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble if a good length was located.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with Late Switch.

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

Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make a change to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea in the morning – an apparent return of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career could be over. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved significant.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy cricket.