Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Assists The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After An Early English Test Series Assault.

Following that pandemonium of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand regarding Test cricket broke out at Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, it was a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced an outstanding century on his home ground as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

Not that England, 2-0 down and still fighting in this series, could be too downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not at their best, the English attack continued persevering in 35c conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below their expectations when Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a strong answer against some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy together with obvious menace. It was only towards the very end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit jaded.

After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip to mid-wicket occurring less than 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Fresh from his virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player these days.

Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of seam movement if a good length was located.

There was also a bit of grip for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, arriving so soon in the wake of the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by musician John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically affected the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, it remained still another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the new ball early on, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy play.