Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Aids The Hosts Regroup After Early England Test Series Assault.

In the wake of the pandemonium of the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more familiar brand regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the locals, the day proved a day to savour, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a magnificent century at his home turf to help the home side just shade the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in the contest, were too disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away under 35c conditions. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board yet likely below initial expectations when Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Effort.

The most impressive performer for the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful answer to the criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer while providing his captain a combination of control and clear menace. Only at the very end of the day – one over using the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.

Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's duck was a stark reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following trousering a record £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off that masterful outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94/4 failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs on the field, though. Gone was the pronounced pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of seam movement if a good length was hit.

There was also a bit of grip for Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so shortly after a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by musician a rendition performing an emotional version of True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into a change from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has periodically affected him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career could be over. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.