Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Assists The Baggy Greens Recover After A Swift England Ashes Assault.

In the wake of the frenzy of Perth and Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more traditional brand regarding the longest format was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the locals, the day proved one to cherish, with their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling hundred on his home turf as Australia Australia just shade the opening day.

However, England, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, could be too disappointed. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous toss and, though far from at their best, the English attack kept persevering in sweltering conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a strong answer to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering his captain both control and obvious threat. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

Having dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can bring a player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely a day following trousering a massive multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from his virtuoso display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 from 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs on the field, though. Absent was that excessive bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn to Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.

This was inevitably a poignant day for Australia, arriving so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was perfectly held, broken only by musician John Williams delivering a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make a change from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has periodically troubled the star batter since he was struck by Archer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, walking out at 33 for two and crafting 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, it remained still another disappointing outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, finishing with two for 70 off 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, overstepping five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.