Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Aids The Hosts Recover After Early English Test Series Charge.

Following the pandemonium from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of familiar brand regarding Test cricket broke out at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding hundred on his home turf as Australia the home side just shade day one.

Not that England, 2-0 down while clinging on in this contest, could be too downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant toss and, despite being far from at their best, the English attack continued persevering in scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The standout among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a strong response against some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering Stokes both accuracy together with clear menace. Only at the very end of play – one over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely a day following trousering a record £1.5m deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was simply invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off his masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, however. Gone was that pronounced bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when the right area was hit.

There was also some grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

The day's play was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was immaculately held, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – seemingly return of the vertigo which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be finished. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had held the innings steady, walking out at 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.