Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Aids The Baggy Greens Recover From An Early England Ashes Charge.

Following that frenzy of the Perth Test and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar style of the longest format was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the locals, the day proved one to savour, as homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century at his home turf as Australia the home side just shade the opening day.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 while clinging on in this series, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant coin toss and, despite being far from perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away in sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations when Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The standout among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a powerful riposte against some of criticism directed at him his way. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer while providing Stokes a combination of control together with obvious menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.

After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours after securing a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that the mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left a few runs out there, however. Gone was the excessive bounce from the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of seam movement when the right area was located.

There was also some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context with A Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, coming so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically affected the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career may be over. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings together, coming to the crease at 33 for two and finessing 82 off 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Frustration Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.