Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Helps The Baggy Greens Regroup From A Swift English Test Series Onslaught.

Following the frenzy of the Perth Test and the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar style regarding Test cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding hundred on his home ground as Australia the home side edge the first day's play.

However, England, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, were too disheartened. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a significant coin toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack kept toiling in sweltering heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board yet likely short of their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The standout among the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong response to some of criticism that came his way. Here he visibly led the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering his captain both control together with obvious threat. Only at the very end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look a bit weary.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket occurring less than 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at late afternoon as he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Coming off that masterful outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left some potential runs out there, however. Gone was the pronounced bounce of the first two Tests replaced by only a fraction of nibble if the right area was hit.

There was also some grip to Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so soon in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts were also forced into a change from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy and sickness in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo which has periodically affected the star batter since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33 for two and finessing 82 off 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing outing for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form of the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy cricket.