Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps The Hosts Bounce Back From Early English Test Series Assault.

In the wake of the chaos of the Perth Test and the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, it was one to savour, as their boy Alex Carey notched up a sparkling hundred at his home venue as Australia the home side just shade day one.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while still fighting in this series, could be too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers continued toiling in scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists was Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte to some of criticism that came this past week. Here he clearly led the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing his captain both control and clear menace. Only at the very end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours following securing a record multi-million dollar contract in the IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Coming off that masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs out there, however. Gone was the pronounced bounce of the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement if the right area was located.

There was also some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with Late Switch.

This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, coming so soon after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, followed by musician a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, the hosts had also been compelled to make an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with sickness in the morning – an apparent return of a vertigo issue which has periodically affected him ever since he was struck 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 the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease at 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone play.