Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Helps Australia Regroup After An Early England Ashes Assault.

After that pandemonium of Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand of the longest format returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was one to cherish, with homegrown talent Alex Carey produced an outstanding hundred at his home venue to help Australia just shade the opening day.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while clinging on in this series, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant toss and, though far from perfect, the English attack kept toiling under sweltering conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of their ambitions after Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful response to the criticism that came this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of control together with obvious menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck was a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip to mid-wicket occurring less than 24 hours following securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Fresh from that masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 from 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave a few runs out there, though. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of nibble if the right area was located.

The pitch also offered some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with A Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia were also compelled to make an alteration from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – seemingly return of the vertigo that has periodically affected the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another frustrating day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, overstepping on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.