Alex Carey's Stunning Century Aids Australia Regroup After An Early English Test Series Charge.

In the wake of that pandemonium from Perth and the Gabba's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style regarding red-ball cricket was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted South Australian fans, it was one to cherish, as homegrown talent Alex Carey produced a sparkling hundred on his home turf as Australia Australia edge day one.

Not that England, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the contest, were too downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial toss and, despite being far from at their best, the English attack kept persevering under 35c conditions. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of their expectations when Pat Cummins won the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Effort.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte to the scrutiny that came this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering Stokes a combination of control and obvious threat. Only at the end of play – during a single over using the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck served as a reminder that this sport can bring a player back to reality, his weak chip to mid-wicket arriving barely a day following trousering a massive £1.5m contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's day, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off that virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 off 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, however. Absent was that excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble when the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered some turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by musician a rendition delivering an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts had also been forced into a change from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and nausea first thing – seemingly return of the vertigo that has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be over. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33/2 before crafting a fine 82 off 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey were crucial.

England's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when handed sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, no-balling on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.