Alex Carey's Brilliant Century Helps Australia Regroup After Early English Test Series Onslaught.

After that chaos of Perth and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar style of Test cricket broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, the day proved a day to savour, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling hundred at his home ground as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in this series, could be entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant coin toss and, despite being far from at their best, the English attack continued persevering in 35c heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations after captain Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Fightback.

The most impressive performer for England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a strong riposte against the scrutiny that came this past week. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering his captain both control together with obvious menace. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared a bit jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his weak chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following securing a record multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Innings.

Carey's day, however, was simply priceless, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off his masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. The 34-year-old has become a serious Test match player these days.

Australia undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, however. Absent was the pronounced pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of seam movement if a good length was located.

There was also some turn for Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Team Change.

This was inevitably a poignant occasion for Australia, arriving so soon in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by musician John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also forced into a change to their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue that has periodically troubled him since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial.

England's Frustration Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the series, finishing with figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the new cherry first thing, overstepping on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.