Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Helps The Hosts Regroup From Early English Ashes Onslaught.

Following that pandemonium from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, a more traditional brand of Test cricket broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved one to savour, as their boy Alex Carey produced an outstanding century on his home ground to help Australia just shade the opening day.

Not that England, 2-0 down and still fighting in the series, were entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack kept toiling under 35c conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of their expectations when Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback.

The standout for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte to some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he clearly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of control together with clear menace. Only at the very end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player these days.

Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located.

The pitch also offered some grip to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and Late Team Change.

This was always going to be a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the first ball was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.

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

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career may be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

England's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when handed sharing the new cherry early on, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.