Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Assists Australia Recover From An Early England Test Series Onslaught.

Following the pandemonium from the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more traditional brand of Test cricket returned at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted locals, it was a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century at his home ground to help Australia just shade day one.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the series, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant toss and, though far from at their best, the English attack kept plugging away under scorching heat. At stumps, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The most impressive performer for the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a powerful answer against some of criticism directed at him this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering his captain both accuracy and obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit jaded.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours following trousering a massive £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm when he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave a few runs on the field, though. Absent was that excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of nibble when the right area was hit.

There was also a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly after a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by musician a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts were also forced into an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has periodically troubled him since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career may be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33 for two before finessing 82 from 126 balls just a day from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey proved crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.