Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Helps The Hosts Regroup After An Early England Ashes Charge.

In the wake of the pandemonium from Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional brand regarding red-ball cricket was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, the day proved a day to savour, with homegrown talent Alex Carey produced a magnificent hundred at his home venue as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

However, England, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack kept toiling under scorching conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely short of their expectations when Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a powerful answer to the criticism that came this past week. On this day he clearly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer and offering his captain both accuracy together with obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat 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. Green's golden duck served as a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving less than a day following trousering a record multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, however. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of nibble if a good length was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon after a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the start of play was perfectly held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring version of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make a change to their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and nausea in the morning – an apparent recurrence 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, just 24 hours after many felt his international career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings together, walking out at 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, this was still another disappointing outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy cricket.