Australia's Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Helps The Baggy Greens Regroup From A Swift English Test Series Assault.

Following the pandemonium of Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of traditional style of the longest format returned at the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, it was a day to savour, as local hero Alex Carey produced a magnificent century at his home turf as Australia Australia edge the first day's play.

However, England, 2-0 down and clinging on in the series, could be too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous toss and, though not at their best, the English attack continued toiling in 35c conditions. At stumps, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a powerful riposte against the criticism directed at him his way. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and clear menace. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck was a stark reminder that this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving less than a day after securing a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, peaking around late afternoon when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs and the crowd to rise in a huge roar. Coming off that virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's aggressive 106 runs off 143 deliveries ensured that a post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave some runs on the field, though. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in figures of two for 105 off 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the first ball was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia were also forced into an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy along with sickness first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo which has periodically troubled the star batter since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his international career could be over. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings steady, walking out at 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 from 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone cricket.