Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Aids The Hosts Bounce Back After A Swift English Test Series Assault.

After the pandemonium of Perth and the Gabba's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of traditional style regarding the longest format was witnessed on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, the day proved one to cherish, with local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a sparkling hundred at his home turf to help Australia edge day one.

Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and clinging on in this series, were entirely disappointed. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like an ominous coin toss and, despite being far from perfect, the English attack continued persevering in sweltering heat. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board yet likely short of their ambitions when Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback.

The standout among the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs were a strong response against some of criticism that came this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing his captain both accuracy and clear menace. Only at the end of play – one over using the second new ball – did he look a bit jaded.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder that this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from weak chip shot to mid-wicket arriving barely 24 hours following trousering a record multi-million dollar contract for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Contribution Rescues The Innings.

Carey's day, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at 4.48pm when he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave a few potential runs on the field, though. Absent was that pronounced bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of nibble if the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of grip for Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be a poignant day for the host nation, coming so shortly after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer a rendition performing an emotional version of True Blue.

By this stage, Australia were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn after reporting feeling dizzy and nausea first thing – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently affected him 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 finished. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, it remained yet another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the first two Tests, picking up two for 70 from 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when handed sharing the new ball first thing, overstepping five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.