Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Aids Australia Regroup After A Swift English Ashes Assault.

Following that pandemonium of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to savour, with their boy Alex Carey notched up a sparkling hundred at his home venue to help the home side just shade the first day's play.

Not that England, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, were too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers continued toiling in scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below their expectations after captain Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer for England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful response to the criticism that came this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control together with clear menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit jaded.

Having dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely a day after trousering a massive £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd rose with a roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave a few potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of seam movement when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered some grip to Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was perfectly held, followed by musician John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia had also been compelled to make an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue which has periodically affected the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33 for two before finessing 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy cricket.