Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Assists The Hosts Recover From Early English Ashes Assault.

After that frenzy of the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night palooza, an outbreak of traditional style of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, the day proved one to cherish, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding century at his home venue to help Australia edge day one.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this series, could be entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, though not at their best, the English attack kept persevering in scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial ambitions when Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a strong riposte to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering Stokes both control and obvious menace. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit jaded.

After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder that this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following securing a massive £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, culminating at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 balls ensured that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 failed to develop into a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious cricketer nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left some runs on the field, though. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was located.

The pitch also offered some turn to Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Team Change.

The day's play was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, coming so soon after a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by musician John Williams performing a stirring version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make an alteration to their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the series, finishing with two for 70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.