Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps The Baggy Greens Bounce Back From An Early English Test Series Onslaught.

Following the chaos of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar style of the longest format was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, it was one to cherish, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman produced an outstanding century on his home venue to help Australia edge the opening day.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the contest, could be too disheartened. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like an ominous toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers kept plugging away under scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Effort.

The most impressive performer for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off 16 overs were a powerful riposte against the criticism that came this past week. On this day he clearly led the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and obvious menace. Only at the very end of the day – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip to mid-wicket occurring barely a day after trousering a massive £1.5m deal for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at late afternoon when he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off that masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 off 143 balls made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs out there, however. Absent was the excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was located.

There was also a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Team Change.

This was inevitably an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional version of the anthem True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts were also forced into a change to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled him ever since being felled by Archer at Lord's six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be finished. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before finessing 82 from 126 deliveries just a day before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were significant.

England's Frustration Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating day for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.