Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Aids The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After A Swift England Ashes Assault.

Following that pandemonium from Perth as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, a more traditional style regarding Test cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to cherish, as local hero Alex Carey delivered a magnificent hundred at his home turf as Australia Australia edge day one.

Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this series, could be too downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial coin toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away in scorching heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely below initial expectations when Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The most impressive performer among the tourists was Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off 16 overs were a strong response against some of criticism directed at him his way. On this day he clearly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer while providing his captain a combination of control and clear threat. Only at the end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving less than a day after securing a massive multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs and the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off his masterful outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that the mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave some runs out there, however. Absent was that excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement if a good length was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and Late Switch.

The day's play 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 before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by musician a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts were also forced into a change to their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically troubled the star batter 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 many felt his Test career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33 for two and finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone cricket.