Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Assists The Hosts Bounce Back From Early English Ashes Onslaught.

After that chaos from Perth and Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar style of red-ball cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was one to enjoy, as homegrown talent Alex Carey notched up an outstanding century at his home venue to help the home side edge day one.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the contest, were too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers kept plugging away under 35c heat. At stumps, Australia had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board yet likely below their ambitions after Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback.

The standout for the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a powerful response against the criticism directed at him his way. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun while providing Stokes both accuracy together with clear menace. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit jaded.

Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can bring a player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving barely 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Coming off his virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when the right area was located.

The pitch also offered some turn for Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

This was inevitably a poignant occasion for Australia, arriving so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the first ball was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering a stirring rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia had also been compelled to make a change to their announced XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically affected him ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be finished. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 before crafting 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey were significant.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, it remained yet another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day for both teams: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.