Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Helps Australia Regroup From An Early English Test Series Charge.

After the chaos from Perth as well as the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more familiar style of the longest format returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to savour, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling century on his home venue to help the home side edge day one.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in this series, could be entirely disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, though not at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away in 35c conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely below their expectations when Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

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

The most impressive performer for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from 16 overs were a strong response against some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering his captain both accuracy and obvious threat. It was only towards the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours after trousering a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from his virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old is a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave a few runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive bounce from the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located.

There was also some turn to Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Team Change.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, arriving so shortly after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the first ball was perfectly held, followed by musician John Williams delivering an emotional version of 'True Blue'.

By this stage, the hosts had also been forced into an alteration to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with nausea in the morning – seemingly return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career may be finished. Until Carey's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, walking out at 33/2 before crafting 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

England's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping conditions, this was yet another frustrating outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.