Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Assists The Baggy Greens Recover From An Early England Ashes Assault.

After that frenzy of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional brand of the longest format broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted locals, the day proved a day to savour, with local hero Alex Carey notched up a magnificent century on his home ground to help Australia edge the first day's play.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, could be entirely disheartened. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant toss and, despite being not perfect, his bowlers kept persevering under 35c conditions. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely below initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

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

The standout among the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from 16 overs were a powerful riposte to some of scrutiny that came his way. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both accuracy and clear menace. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat weary.

Having dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler'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 of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours after securing a record multi-million dollar contract in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs and the crowd rose with a roar. Fresh from his virtuoso display behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs out there, though. Absent was that pronounced bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was hit.

There was also some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context with A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was immaculately held, followed by musician a rendition performing an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with sickness in the morning – seemingly return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his Test career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another disappointing day from England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with some error-prone cricket.