Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Assists Australia Bounce Back After Early English Ashes Assault.

In the wake of that chaos of the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night palooza, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the locals, it was one to savour, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling century at his home ground to help Australia just shade the opening day.

However, England, 2-0 down while clinging on in the contest, could be too disheartened. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant coin toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers kept plugging away under scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight off 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of initial expectations after Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Resistance.

The standout for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a powerful answer against the criticism directed at him his way. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing his captain a combination of control together with clear menace. It was only towards the very end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck served as a reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following securing a massive £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, peaking at late afternoon as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his virtuoso display behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 off 143 balls made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94/4 failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left a few runs out there, though. Absent was the excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered some grip to Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring rendition of True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make a change from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has intermittently troubled him since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career may be finished. Before Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, it remained yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the series, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime 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 sloppy cricket.