Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Aids The Hosts Recover After An Early English Test Series Assault.

Following the chaos from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more traditional brand regarding the longest format returned at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to cherish, with local hero Alex Carey produced an outstanding hundred on his home turf to help the home side edge the first day's play.

However, England, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in the series, could be too disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a significant coin toss and, despite being not perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away in scorching heat. At stumps, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board yet likely short of initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The standout for England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs were a strong riposte to some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of control together with obvious threat. Only at the end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a stark reminder that this sport can bring a player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours following trousering a record £1.5m contract in the IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at late afternoon as he drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave a few runs out there, though. Absent was that pronounced bounce from the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was located.

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

Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change.

This was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by musician a rendition performing an emotional version of True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts had also been compelled to make a change to their announced XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness along with sickness in the morning – an apparent return of a vertigo issue which has intermittently affected the star batter ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone play.