Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Century Assists Australia Recover After An Early English Test Series Charge.

In the wake of the pandemonium of the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar style of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, the day proved a day to savour, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding hundred at his home venue as Australia the home side just shade day one.

However, England, 2-0 down and still fighting in the contest, could be entirely disappointed. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, despite being far from perfect, his bowlers kept plugging away under sweltering conditions. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations after Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs were a strong response against the criticism directed at him his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of accuracy together with obvious threat. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit weary.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a stark reminder that this sport can bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely a day after securing a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, peaking around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old is a genuinely Test match player these days.

Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Gone was that pronounced bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring rendition of True Blue.

By this stage, Australia were also forced into an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected him since being felled 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. Before 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 crafting 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another disappointing outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.