Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Assists The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After Early English Ashes Charge.

In the wake of that frenzy of Perth and Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style of red-ball cricket was witnessed at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, it was one to savour, as their boy Alex Carey produced an outstanding century at his home venue to help the home side just shade the opening day.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this contest, were entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like an ominous toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers continued persevering under 35c heat. At stumps, Australia were 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial ambitions when captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off 16 overs constituted a strong response to the scrutiny directed at him this past week. Here he clearly led the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer while providing Stokes both control and obvious menace. It was only towards the end of the day – one over with the fresh cherry – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a stark reminder that cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket occurring less than a day following trousering a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, culminating at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd rose with a roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, though. Absent was that excessive bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was hit.

There was also some turn to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so soon after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts were also forced into a change from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically affected the star batter ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before crafting 82 from 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, it remained still another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping five times yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.