Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Assists The Hosts Recover After A Swift English Ashes Charge.

Following that chaos from Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of traditional brand regarding Test cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved a day to enjoy, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling hundred at his home venue as Australia Australia edge day one.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, could be entirely disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a significant coin toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack kept plugging away in scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs – a total on the board yet likely short of their expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 from his 16 overs were a strong riposte against the criticism that came his way. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, clocking around 88mph (142kph) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of control together with clear threat. It was only towards the end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's golden duck served as a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours after trousering a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Rescues The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was simply invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Fresh from that virtuoso display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left a few potential runs out there, though. Gone was that pronounced bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement if a good length was located.

There was also some turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – resulting in figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – and the balls that did to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by musician John Williams delivering an emotional rendition of the anthem True Blue.

Earlier, Australia were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with nausea in the morning – seemingly return of the vertigo that has intermittently troubled the star batter ever since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 with Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, this was still another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form from the series, finishing with two for 70 off his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when tasked with sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.