Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Assists The Hosts Bounce Back From Early England Test Series Onslaught.

After the chaos from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of traditional style regarding Test cricket was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding century on his home venue as Australia Australia just shade the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the series, were too disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared an ominous toss and, though far from perfect, his bowlers continued plugging away under sweltering conditions. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below their expectations after Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful response against the criticism that came this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of control and obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of play – one over using the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat weary.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely a day after securing a massive £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso outing with the gloves at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 off 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old is a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave a few potential runs on the field, though. Absent was that pronounced bounce of the opening matches and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was hit.

There was also some turn for Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be a poignant day for the host nation, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was perfectly held, followed by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia were also forced into an alteration from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting dizziness and nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently affected the star batter ever 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 could be finished. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed 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 courtesy of a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day for both teams: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone play.