Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Assists The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After A Swift English Test Series Onslaught.

After the frenzy of Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar style regarding the longest format was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was one to cherish, with local hero Alex Carey delivered a magnificent century at his home ground as Australia Australia edge day one.

However, The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in the contest, could be entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away under 35c heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Effort.

The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a powerful response against the scrutiny that came his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering Stokes both accuracy together with obvious threat. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck served as a stark reminder that this sport can bring a player back to reality, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble of 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located.

There was also some turn to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with Late Team Change.

This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, coming so soon after a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was perfectly held, followed by musician John Williams delivering an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts had also been forced into a change from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has periodically troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 and finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were significant.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the series, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy cricket.