Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After Early England Ashes Assault.

In the wake of the pandemonium from Perth and Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar brand of Test cricket was witnessed 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 delivered an outstanding hundred on his home turf to help Australia just shade the first day's play.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in the contest, could be too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant coin toss and, though not perfect, the English attack kept toiling under scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of their expectations after captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout for England was Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte against some of criticism that came this past week. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of control together with clear threat. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left a few runs on the field, however. Gone was that excessive bounce from the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if a good length was located.

There was also a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and A Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, arriving so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts had also been compelled to make an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and sickness in the morning – an apparent return of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled him ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.