Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Aids The Hosts Bounce Back From A Swift England Ashes Charge.

After that chaos from Perth as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style of red-ball cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, it was a day to savour, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a magnificent century on his home venue to help Australia edge the first day's play.

However, England, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, could be too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, though not at their best, the English attack kept plugging away in 35c conditions. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below initial ambitions when captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong riposte against some of criticism directed at him his way. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering his captain both accuracy together with obvious threat. Only at the end of the day – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a stark reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip to mid-wicket occurring less than 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso display behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was that excessive bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement 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 – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon in the wake of the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the first ball was perfectly held, broken only by musician John Williams performing an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia were also forced into an alteration from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – seemingly return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled him since being felled by Archer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33/2 and crafting 82 from 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were crucial.

England's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form from the series, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.