Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Helps The Hosts Regroup From Early English Ashes Charge.

Following that pandemonium of the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style regarding Test cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the locals, the day proved a day to savour, as local hero Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century on his home venue to help Australia edge the opening day.

However, The touring English side, 2-0 down while still fighting in this contest, could be entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers kept persevering under 35c conditions. At stumps, the Australians were 326 for eight off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely short of their expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer among England was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong response to some of criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly led the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer and offering his captain both accuracy and clear menace. Only at the very end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck served as a stark reminder of how this sport can bring a player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than a day following securing a record multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at late afternoon when he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off that masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs off 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, however. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce from the opening matches replaced by just a hint of nibble if a good length was hit.

There was also a bit of grip to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and A Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo that has intermittently affected the star batter since being felled by Archer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, walking out at 33/2 before finessing 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was still another frustrating outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.