Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Helps The Hosts Bounce Back From Early England Test Series Assault.

Following the chaos from Perth and the Gabba's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style of red-ball cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the locals, it was a day to cherish, with their boy Alex Carey delivered an outstanding hundred at his home turf to help Australia edge the opening day.

However, England, 2-0 down while clinging on in the series, were too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous coin toss and, despite being far from at their best, his bowlers continued persevering under sweltering conditions. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely below initial ambitions when captain Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For England's Resistance.

The standout among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off 16 overs were a powerful answer to the scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer while providing Stokes both accuracy and obvious menace. Only at the end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck was a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than a day after securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off his masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs from 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs out there, though. Gone was that pronounced bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble when the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered some turn for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with Late Switch.

This was inevitably an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so soon after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the first ball was immaculately held, followed by musician John Williams performing a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, Australia were also compelled to make an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently troubled him since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career may be over. Before Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33/2 and finessing a fine 82 from 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.