Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Aids Australia Bounce Back From A Swift England Test Series Assault.

Following the chaos from Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of traditional style regarding Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, it was a day to enjoy, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a magnificent hundred on his home venue as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

Not that England, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, could be entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers continued persevering under sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians were 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board yet likely below their expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The standout for England was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a powerful answer against the criticism directed at him this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy together with obvious threat. Only at the end of the day – one over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was simply invaluable, culminating around late afternoon when he drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off that masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's aggressive 106 off 143 balls ensured that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few runs out there, though. Gone was the pronounced pace and bounce of the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement when a good length was hit.

There was also some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context with Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so soon after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the first ball was perfectly held, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing a stirring version of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy along with sickness first thing – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled the star batter since being felled by Archer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two and finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey were significant.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, overstepping five times yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone cricket.