Australia's Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Helps The Hosts Regroup From An Early English Ashes Charge.

Following the chaos from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of traditional brand regarding red-ball cricket broke out at Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved one to savour, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a magnificent hundred on his home venue to help the home side edge the opening day.

However, England, 2-0 down and still fighting in the series, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not at their best, the English attack continued persevering under 35c heat. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations after Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs were a powerful riposte against some of scrutiny that came this past week. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer while providing Stokes both control and obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.

After bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than a day following trousering a massive £1.5m deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three and the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off that masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 off 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few potential runs on the field, though. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of seam movement when the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered some turn for Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context and Late Team Change.

This was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, arriving so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack 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 True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration to their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically troubled him ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be over. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the innings together, coming to the crease at 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 from 126 deliveries a day out from turning 39. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form from the series, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, overstepping five times yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both sides: moments of brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.