Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Aids The Hosts Recover From A Swift England Test Series Charge.

After that chaos of Perth as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more traditional brand of Test cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved a day to enjoy, with local hero Alex Carey produced a sparkling hundred on his home ground to help the home side edge the opening day.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in this series, could be too downbeat. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant toss and, though far from perfect, the English attack continued plugging away under sweltering heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations when Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong riposte against the scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and clear menace. Only at the end of play – one over with the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck was a reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than a day after trousering a massive £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a complete crisis. The 34-year-old is a genuinely cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of nibble if the right area was located.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Switch.

This was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo that has intermittently affected him since being felled 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 may be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before crafting 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.

England's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with some sloppy play.