Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps The Hosts Bounce Back From An Early English Test Series Charge.

After the pandemonium of the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of traditional style regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the locals, it was one to cherish, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling century on his home turf as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

However, England, 2-0 down and still fighting in this contest, were entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous toss and, despite being far from perfect, his bowlers continued persevering in scorching heat. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations when Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a powerful response to some of criticism that came his way. Here he clearly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy together with obvious menace. Only at the very end of play – one over using the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck served as a reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to mid-wicket arriving barely a day following securing a massive multi-million dollar contract in the IPL.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 from 143 balls made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely cricketer these days.

Australia did leave some potential runs out there, however. Absent was the pronounced bounce of the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of seam movement when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-timer – resulting in figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was perfectly held, followed by musician John Williams performing a stirring version of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts had also been forced into an alteration to their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with sickness in the morning – seemingly return of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled him since being felled by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before finessing 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping five times but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone cricket.