Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Assists The Hosts Bounce Back After An Early England Ashes Assault.

Following the pandemonium of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style of the longest format broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, the day proved one to enjoy, as local hero Alex Carey produced an outstanding hundred on his home turf to help the home side edge the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the contest, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared an ominous toss and, though not perfect, the English attack kept plugging away in 35c heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of their ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte to some of criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun and offering Stokes both control together with clear menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared a bit jaded.

Having dismissed Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a reminder of how cricket can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than a day following trousering a record £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Ship.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at late afternoon when he drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs off 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 did leave some potential runs out there, however. Absent was that excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered a bit of grip to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in figures of two for 105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

The day's play was always going to be a poignant occasion for Australia, coming so soon in the wake of the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by musician a rendition delivering an emotional version of True Blue.

By this stage, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy and nausea in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo that has periodically troubled the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be finished. Before Carey's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping heat, it remained yet another disappointing day for England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 off his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was all over the shop when handed sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone cricket.