Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps Australia Regroup From An Early England Ashes Assault.

After the pandemonium of the Perth Test and Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of traditional brand regarding the longest format returned on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved a day to enjoy, with their boy Alex Carey notched up a sparkling hundred at his home ground as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.

However, England, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the contest, were entirely downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, though far from at their best, his bowlers continued persevering under 35c heat. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of their ambitions after Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback.

The most impressive performer for England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs constituted a powerful answer to some of scrutiny that came his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer while providing his captain both accuracy together with clear menace. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat weary.

After dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how cricket can bring a player back down to earth, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours after trousering a record multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating at 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three and the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 runs off 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old has become a serious cricketer nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, though. Gone was the pronounced pace and bounce from the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was located.

There was also a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with Late Team Change.

This was inevitably a poignant occasion for Australia, arriving so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by musician a rendition delivering an emotional version of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change from their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea in the morning – an apparent return of a vertigo issue which has intermittently affected him since being felled by Archer at Lord's six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be over. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 from 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, it remained yet another frustrating outing for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the duty of the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.