Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Aids Australia Regroup From A Swift England Ashes Assault.

After the chaos of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar brand of Test cricket was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the locals, the day proved one to savour, with their boy Alex Carey notched up a magnificent hundred on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade the opening day.

However, The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in this series, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like an ominous coin toss and, despite being not perfect, his bowlers continued persevering in scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely short of their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from 16 overs were a powerful answer against some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer while providing his captain a combination of accuracy together with clear menace. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours following securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off that masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left some runs on the field, however. Absent was that pronounced pace and bounce from the opening matches and in its place just a hint of nibble if a good length was located.

There was also some turn for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and Late Switch.

This was inevitably an emotional day for Australia, arriving so soon in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional rendition of True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make an alteration from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled him ever 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 could be over. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.