Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps The Hosts Recover From A Swift English Ashes Onslaught.

In the wake of that pandemonium from the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style regarding the longest format broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted locals, the day proved one to cherish, as their boy Alex Carey delivered a magnificent century on his home venue to help Australia edge day one.

However, England, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the contest, were too disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared an ominous coin toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack kept persevering under sweltering heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below their expectations after captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a strong response to some of criticism that came this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun and offering his captain both accuracy together with clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat weary.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's duck was a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely a day following trousering a massive £1.5m contract for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that a post-lunch wobble to 94 for four did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs out there, though. Absent was the pronounced bounce of the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of seam movement when a good length was located.

There was also a bit of grip to Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context with Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional version of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into a change from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and sickness in the morning – seemingly return of the vertigo that has periodically affected the star batter since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career could be finished. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone cricket.