Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps Australia Recover After An Early English Ashes Charge.

In the wake of that frenzy from Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar style of the longest format broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, the day proved one to savour, as homegrown talent Alex Carey produced an outstanding century at his home turf as Australia the home side edge the first day's play.

However, England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this contest, could be too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant toss and, though not at their best, his bowlers continued persevering in sweltering conditions. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off 16 overs were a strong riposte to the criticism directed at him this past week. Here he clearly led the attack, clocking 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering Stokes both control together with clear menace. Only at the very end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely a day following trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, culminating around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left a few runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was hit.

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

Emotional Backdrop with Late Team Change.

This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the first ball was immaculately held, followed by musician a rendition performing an emotional version of the anthem True Blue.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness along with sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey were significant.

England's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.