Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps The Baggy Greens Recover After An Early English Ashes Onslaught.

Following that chaos of the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style regarding Test cricket was witnessed at the Adelaide ground. For the locals, the day proved a day to savour, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced an outstanding hundred on his home venue as Australia Australia edge day one.

However, England, 2-0 down and still fighting in the series, could be too disappointed. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers continued persevering in scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely short of their expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong response against some of scrutiny that came his way. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and obvious menace. Only at the end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.

After dismissed 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 was a stark reminder that cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely 24 hours following securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Carey's day, however, was simply invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm when he drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off his masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 runs from 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94/4 failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive bounce from the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement when the right area was located.

There was also some grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional version of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into a change to their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo which has periodically troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be over. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were crucial.

England's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.