Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Aids The Hosts Bounce Back After An Early English Test Series Charge.

After that frenzy from the Perth Test and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style of Test cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted locals, the day proved a day to enjoy, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a magnificent century at his home venue to help the home side edge day one.

Not that England, 2-0 down and clinging on in this series, could be entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous coin toss and, despite being far from perfect, the English attack kept toiling in 35c conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely short of initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte to some of criticism directed at him this past week. Here he visibly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer while providing Stokes both accuracy together with clear threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's golden duck served as a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than a day following trousering a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs from 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of nibble if the right area was hit.

There was also some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant day for the host nation, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional rendition of True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been forced into a change from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with sickness first thing – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected him since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another disappointing day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, overstepping five times but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.