Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Assists The Baggy Greens Bounce Back After A Swift English Test Series Charge.

In the wake of that frenzy from Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the locals, the day proved a day to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding century on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade the opening day.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this series, could be too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers kept plugging away under sweltering conditions. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below initial ambitions after Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For England's Effort.

The most impressive performer for the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs constituted a powerful answer to the scrutiny that came this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun and offering Stokes both control together with clear menace. It was only towards the end of play – one over with the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than 24 hours after trousering a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Ship.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three and the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 runs from 143 deliveries ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player these days.

Australia did leave a few potential runs on the field, though. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce of the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of nibble if a good length was located.

There was also a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional day for the host nation, coming so soon in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the start of play was perfectly held, followed by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring version of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy along with nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has periodically affected him ever since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career could be over. Until the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out at 33 for two and finessing 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form of the series, picking up two for 70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, overstepping five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.