Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps The Baggy Greens Recover After A Swift England Test Series Assault.

After the chaos of the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar style of Test cricket returned at Adelaide Oval. For the locals, it was a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent Alex Carey delivered an outstanding hundred at his home venue as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 while clinging on in the contest, could be too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, though far from perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away in scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of their expectations after Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The standout for England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs were a powerful riposte to the scrutiny that came his way. On this day he clearly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of control together with clear threat. It was only towards the end of play – one over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

Having dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first 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 stark reminder that cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than a day following securing a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Carey's day, in contrast, was simply priceless, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso outing with the gloves in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 runs from 143 balls ensured that a post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious Test match player these days.

Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, though. Absent was the excessive bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and A Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant occasion for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing a stirring rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make a change from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to dizziness along with nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be over. Before Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping heat, it remained still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.