Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Century Aids The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After An Early English Ashes Charge.

Following that pandemonium of the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night spectacle, a more traditional style of Test cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, the day proved a day to savour, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling century at his home turf to help the home side just shade the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this series, were entirely disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial toss and, though not at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away in scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of initial ambitions when Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a strong answer to the criticism directed at him his way. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of control and obvious threat. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck served as a stark reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours following securing a massive multi-million dollar contract in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, culminating at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs on the field, however. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce of 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 grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

This was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional rendition of 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia had also been compelled to make a change to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled him since he was struck 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 over. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two before finessing 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.