Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Helps Australia Bounce Back From An Early English Test Series Assault.

After that chaos from Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved a day to savour, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling hundred on his home ground as Australia Australia just shade day one.

However, England, 2-0 down while clinging on in the series, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant coin toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers continued persevering under sweltering conditions. At stumps, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The most impressive performer for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a strong riposte to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of control and clear threat. Only at the end of the day – one over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

Having dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely a day after securing a massive £1.5m deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm when he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player these days.

Australia did leave a few potential runs on the field, however. Absent was that excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if a good length was hit.

There was also a bit of grip to Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

This was inevitably an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by musician John Williams performing a stirring version of True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue that has periodically affected him since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.