Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Helps The Baggy Greens Regroup From A Swift English Test Series Onslaught.

After the frenzy from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of traditional brand regarding Test cricket was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling century on his home turf to help the home side just shade the opening day.

However, England, 2-0 down while still fighting in this contest, were too downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack continued persevering in scorching heat. At stumps, the Australians had reached 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely short of their expectations after captain Pat Cummins got the toss in the morning.

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

The most impressive performer among England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a strong answer to some of scrutiny that came his way. On this day he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speed gun while providing Stokes both control together with clear menace. Only at the very end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck served as a reminder that cricket can bring a player back down to earth, his tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day following securing a record multi-million dollar deal in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, culminating around 4.48pm when he drove Stokes through cover for three runs which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful outing with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs off 143 balls made sure that a post-lunch wobble of 94/4 failed to develop into a complete collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, though. Gone was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble when the right area was located.

There was also a bit of turn for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop with Late Switch.

This was inevitably a poignant day for the host nation, coming so shortly after the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the first ball was perfectly observed, broken only by musician a rendition performing an emotional rendition of True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts had also been forced into an alteration from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and sickness first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue that has periodically troubled him since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be over. Before Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, walking out at 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 from 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form from the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball early on, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.