Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Assists The Hosts Recover From A Swift English Test Series Assault.

After that frenzy of Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style regarding Test cricket was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, it was one to savour, with local hero Alex Carey produced a magnificent century at his home turf to help the home side edge the opening day.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, were too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous toss and, despite being far from at their best, the English attack continued toiling in 35c heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of their expectations after captain Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The standout among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a powerful answer to some of scrutiny that came this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of control together with clear threat. Only at the end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours following trousering a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Carey's day, however, was simply priceless, peaking around 4.48pm when he drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely Test match player these days.

Australia undoubtedly left a few runs on the field, however. Gone was the pronounced bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when a good length was located.

There was also a bit of turn to Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so soon in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was immaculately held, followed by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and nausea first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue that has periodically troubled the star batter since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career could be over. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 before crafting 82 from 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form from the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was all over the shop when handed sharing the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.