Alex Carey's Stunning Century Aids Australia Bounce Back From Early English Test Series Assault.

In the wake of the pandemonium of Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar style regarding the longest format returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted locals, it was one to savour, with local hero Alex Carey notched up a sparkling century at his home ground to help the home side just shade the opening day.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this contest, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial coin toss and, despite being far from perfect, the English attack kept toiling under 35c conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely short of initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful response against some of scrutiny that came this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of control and obvious threat. Only at the end of play – one over using the fresh cherry – did he look a bit jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck was a stark reminder of how this sport can bring a player back down to earth, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket arriving barely a day after trousering a massive £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings.

Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs out there, though. Gone was that excessive bounce from the opening matches replaced by just a hint of seam movement when the right area was located.

There was also some grip for Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with Late Team Change.

This was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was immaculately held, followed by musician a rendition delivering a stirring version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea first thing – 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 years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be over. Before Carey's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two and finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey were significant.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.