Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Aids The Baggy Greens Bounce Back From A Swift England Ashes Onslaught.

After that chaos from Perth and Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of familiar brand of the longest format returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the locals, it was a day to savour, with their boy Alex Carey produced an outstanding hundred on his home turf to help the home side edge the opening day.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in this series, were too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being not perfect, his bowlers continued persevering in 35c conditions. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of initial ambitions when captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a strong riposte against the criticism directed at him his way. On this day he visibly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer while providing Stokes a combination of control and clear threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's duck was a reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving barely 24 hours after securing a massive multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking at 4.48pm as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Coming off that virtuoso display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player these days.

Australia did leave some potential runs out there, however. Absent was that pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located.

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

Emotional Context and A Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, arriving so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the start of play was perfectly held, followed by folk singer John Williams performing a stirring version of True Blue.

By this stage, Australia were also forced into a change from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and nausea first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently affected him ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and crafting 82 off 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey were significant.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy play.