Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Helps Australia Regroup After A Swift English Test Series Assault.

After that pandemonium from the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night spectacle, a more familiar style regarding Test cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved a day to cherish, as homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered a magnificent hundred on his home turf to help Australia edge day one.

Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the contest, could be entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, though far from perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away under sweltering heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely below their expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer for England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs constituted a strong response to some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun and offering his captain both accuracy and clear menace. Only at the very end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours after trousering a massive £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, peaking around late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso display with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave a few runs out there, however. Absent was that pronounced pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered a bit of grip to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context and A Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional day for the host nation, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts had also been compelled to make a change to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and nausea in the morning – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has intermittently troubled him ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be finished. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 before crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone play.