Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps Australia Bounce Back After A Swift English Ashes Charge.

In the wake of the frenzy of the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand regarding red-ball cricket returned at the Adelaide ground. For the South Australian fans, it was one to savour, with their boy Alex Carey notched up a magnificent century on his home turf as Australia Australia edge the first day's play.

Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in the series, were too downbeat. Ben Stokes had lost what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, despite being not at their best, his bowlers kept persevering under sweltering conditions. At stumps, Australia had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely below initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer for the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful answer against some of criticism that came this past week. Here he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun while providing Stokes a combination of accuracy together with clear menace. Only at the very end of play – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's golden duck served as a reminder that this sport can bring a player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following trousering a record multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around late afternoon as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that the mid-innings stumble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a genuinely cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few runs on the field, though. Absent was the excessive pace and bounce from the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble when the right area was located.

There was also a bit of grip to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-timer – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. A minute's silence observed before the start of play was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition delivering an emotional version of the anthem 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts were also forced into a change from their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently affected him since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33 for two and crafting a fine 82 from 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the series, finishing with two for 70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue claimed one for 63 from 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball first thing, overstepping on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day for both teams: moments of brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.