Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Hosts Regroup From An Early England Test Series Charge.

After the chaos from Perth and the Gabba's day-night palooza, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, it was a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding hundred at his home ground as Australia the home side edge the first day's play.

Not that England, 2-0 down while still fighting in this series, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous coin toss and, though not perfect, the English attack continued plugging away in scorching conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below initial ambitions when captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer for England was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a strong answer against the scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he visibly led the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering Stokes both control together with clear menace. It was only towards the end of play – during a single over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, coming from tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than 24 hours after securing a massive multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

Carey's Priceless Innings Rescues The Innings.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, culminating at late afternoon as he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Fresh from that masterful outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that a post-lunch wobble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old is a serious cricketer nowadays.

Australia did leave some potential runs on the field, though. Gone was that excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of seam movement when the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered some grip to Will Jacks, although his consistency was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and A Late Team Change.

This was always going to be an emotional occasion for the host nation, arriving so soon in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence prior to the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by musician a rendition delivering a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, Australia were also compelled to make an alteration to their stated XI. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting feeling dizzy along with nausea first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has periodically affected him since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings together, coming to the crease at 33/2 and finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were significant.

England's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked all over the shop when handed sharing the new cherry early on, overstepping on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment summed up the day's play for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with some sloppy cricket.