Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Aids The Hosts Regroup From An Early English Ashes Assault.

After the pandemonium from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar brand regarding red-ball cricket was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the home crowd, the day proved a day to enjoy, as their boy Alex Carey delivered an outstanding century on his home ground as Australia the home side just shade day one.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the series, could be too disheartened. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though far from perfect, the English attack kept plugging away in 35c conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely short of their ambitions when Pat Cummins won the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback.

The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs were a strong answer to some of criticism that came his way. Here he visibly led the attack, averaging around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer and offering Stokes a combination of accuracy and obvious menace. It was only towards the end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit jaded.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck served as a stark reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring a player back down to earth, coming from weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring less than a day following trousering a massive £1.5m deal for the upcoming IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was simply invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off his masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 off 143 balls ensured that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely Test match player nowadays.

Australia undoubtedly left some potential runs on the field, however. Absent was that pronounced pace and bounce of the opening matches and in its place just a hint of nibble when the right area was hit.

There was also some grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context with A Late Team Change.

This was always going to be a poignant occasion for Australia, arriving so shortly in the wake of the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, broken only by folk singer John Williams delivering a stirring rendition of True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to feeling dizzy along with nausea in the morning – an apparent recurrence of a vertigo issue which has intermittently affected him since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be over. Until Carey's arrival, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 off his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball early on, overstepping on five occasions but still removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. This moment encapsulated the day for both sides: brilliance mixed with some error-prone play.