Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Aids The Hosts Recover From Early England Ashes Onslaught.

After that chaos of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night palooza, a more familiar style regarding the longest format broke out at Adelaide Oval. For the locals, it was one to savour, with their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a magnificent century at his home turf to help Australia edge day one.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, could be too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like an ominous toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack continued toiling under 35c conditions. At stumps, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below initial ambitions when Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a strong riposte to some of criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of accuracy together with obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a reminder that cricket can bring a player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring barely 24 hours following trousering a massive £1.5m contract in the IPL.

Carey's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, however, was simply priceless, peaking at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three and the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from his masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old is a genuinely Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs on the field, though. Absent was that pronounced pace and bounce from the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of seam movement if the right area was located.

There was also some grip to Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.

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

Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make a change to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue that has intermittently affected him ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be finished. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings together, walking out at 33/2 before finessing 82 from 126 balls just a day before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey were crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, it remained still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form of the series, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy play.