Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Aids The Hosts Bounce Back From Early England Ashes Assault.

After the pandemonium of Perth and Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style regarding the longest format broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the locals, the day proved one to cherish, with their boy Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century at his home ground as Australia Australia just shade day one.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in the contest, were too disappointed. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, despite being far from perfect, the English attack kept toiling in 35c conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely short of initial expectations after captain Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout among England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a strong response against some of criticism that came this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing his captain both accuracy together with obvious menace. Only at the very end of play – one over using the second new ball – did he look a bit weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's golden duck served as a stark reminder that this sport can swiftly bring a player back to reality, coming from tepid chip to mid-wicket occurring barely a day after securing a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd rose with a roar. Fresh from his virtuoso display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 off 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

Australia did leave a few potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the pronounced bounce of the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of nibble when the right area was located.

There was also some turn for Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so soon after the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was perfectly held, broken only by musician a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness along with sickness in the morning – seemingly return of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled the star batter since he was struck 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 arrival, the left-hander had held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before crafting 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, overstepping five times but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.