Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps Australia Bounce Back After A Swift England Ashes Assault.

After that chaos from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar style of Test cricket was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, the day proved one to enjoy, as homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered a magnificent hundred on his home turf to help Australia edge the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in this series, were entirely disheartened. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack continued plugging away under scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely below initial expectations after Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among England was Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from 16 overs were a strong answer to the criticism directed at him this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control and clear menace. Only at the end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck was a reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours after securing a record £1.5m contract in the IPL.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the crowd to rise with a roar. Fresh from his masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs on the field, though. Absent was that excessive bounce of the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of nibble 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 – and the balls that did to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and A Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for Australia, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A 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.

Earlier, the hosts had also been forced into a change to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness along with sickness first thing – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently troubled him ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be finished. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before crafting 82 from 126 deliveries just a day before his 39th birthday. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey were significant.

England's Frustration Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating outing for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.