Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Assists Australia Regroup From A Swift English Ashes Charge.

After the pandemonium of the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more familiar style regarding the longest format was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to savour, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding hundred at his home turf as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.

However, England, 2-0 down and clinging on in the series, were too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous toss and, though not perfect, his bowlers continued toiling under sweltering conditions. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Resistance.

The standout for the tourists proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a strong answer against the scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of accuracy and clear threat. Only at the end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit jaded.

Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket occurring less than a day following securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of seam movement when a good length was hit.

There was also some grip to Will Jacks, although his control 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 turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and Late Team Change.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for Australia, arriving so shortly after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional version of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into a change to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness along with nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which 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, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career could be over. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.