Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Aids The Hosts Regroup After Early English Test Series Onslaught.

In the wake of the frenzy from Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style of Test cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to cherish, as homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered an outstanding hundred at his home ground as Australia the home side just shade day one.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in this contest, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant coin toss and, though not at their best, the English attack continued persevering under sweltering conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below their expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a strong answer to the scrutiny that came his way. On this day he visibly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering Stokes both control and clear menace. It was only towards the end of play – during a single over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than a day following securing a record multi-million dollar contract in the IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings.

Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking at 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Fresh from his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Gone was that pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn for Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context and Late Switch.

This was inevitably a poignant occasion for Australia, coming so shortly after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, the hosts had also been forced into a change from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness along with nausea first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue which has intermittently affected the star batter ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career may be over. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was still another disappointing day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the series, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.