Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Helps Australia Bounce Back From An Early England Test Series Charge.

Following the frenzy of Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar brand of red-ball cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved one to enjoy, as homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered a sparkling hundred on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the contest, were too disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous coin toss and, though far from perfect, the English attack continued toiling in 35c heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs were a powerful answer against some of criticism directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the attack, clocking 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer while providing his captain a combination of control together with obvious menace. It was only towards the end of the day – one over using the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded.

Having dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours after securing a massive £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs from 143 balls ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some potential runs out there, though. Gone was that pronounced bounce of 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 grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with Late Switch.

This was inevitably a poignant occasion for the host nation, coming so soon after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was perfectly held, broken only by musician John Williams delivering a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.

Earlier, Australia had also been compelled to make a change to their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with sickness first thing – seemingly return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career could be over. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries just a day before his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey proved crucial.

England's Frustration Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing day for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, no-balling five times but still 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.