Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Assists The Hosts Regroup After An Early English Test Series Onslaught.

Following that chaos from Perth as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of familiar brand of Test cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a magnificent century on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade day one.

Not that England, 2-0 down and clinging on in the contest, could be too disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like an ominous coin toss and, though not perfect, the English attack kept persevering under 35c heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely below their expectations after Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The most impressive performer for the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte to the scrutiny that came this past week. On this day he visibly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing his captain both control together with obvious menace. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than a day after securing a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Ship.

Carey's day, however, was simply priceless, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 from 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs on the field, though. Absent was the pronounced bounce from the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if a good length was located.

There was also some turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context with Late Team Change.

This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, coming so shortly after a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the start of play was immaculately held, broken only by musician John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change to their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has periodically affected him ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings together, walking out with the score on 33 for two before crafting 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved significant.

England's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another frustrating day for England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, overstepping five times yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone cricket.