Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Assists The Hosts Recover After An Early English Ashes Onslaught.

In the wake of the frenzy from the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more familiar brand regarding red-ball cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved a day to cherish, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding hundred at his home turf to help the home side just shade day one.

Not that England, 2-0 down while clinging on in the series, were too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant coin toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers kept toiling in scorching conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely short of initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs were a powerful answer against some of criticism directed at him this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing his captain a combination of control and obvious threat. Only at the end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day after trousering a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm when he drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off that masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that the mid-innings stumble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave a few runs out there, however. Gone was that pronounced bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of seam movement when the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with Late Switch.

This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, coming so soon in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by musician a rendition delivering a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into a change to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – seemingly return of the vertigo which has intermittently troubled him 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 over. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33 for two and crafting 82 from 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, this was still another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping five times but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.