Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Helps The Baggy Greens Recover After A Swift English Test Series Charge.

After that chaos of Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of traditional brand regarding the longest format broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved one to cherish, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding century on his home venue as Australia Australia edge the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the series, could be too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant coin toss and, though far from perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away in scorching heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The standout for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs were a strong answer to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering his captain both control and clear threat. Only at the very end of the day – one over using the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely 24 hours following securing a record multi-million dollar contract in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his virtuoso outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave a few potential runs on the field, though. Gone was the pronounced bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when the right area was hit.

There was also a bit of turn to Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant day for the host nation, arriving so soon after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was perfectly held, broken only by musician John Williams performing a stirring rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia were also compelled to make a change to their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with sickness first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently troubled him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out at 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating day for England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling five times yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with some sloppy play.