Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Aids The Baggy Greens Regroup After A Swift England Ashes Charge.

After the frenzy of Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of traditional brand regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted locals, the day proved one to savour, with their boy Alex Carey notched up an outstanding hundred at his home turf to help Australia edge the opening day.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 while clinging on in the series, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous toss and, though not at their best, the English attack continued plugging away in scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of their expectations when Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a powerful answer against some of scrutiny directed at him his way. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of control together with clear menace. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck was a stark reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving less than 24 hours following trousering a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off that masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, though. Gone was the pronounced bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered some grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context and Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the start of play was immaculately held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness along with sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently affected the star batter 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 international career could be finished. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 before finessing 82 off 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Alex Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating outing for England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new ball early on, overstepping five times but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone cricket.