Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Assists Australia Bounce Back After Early English Ashes Charge.

After the frenzy from the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, an outbreak of familiar style regarding the longest format was witnessed on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved a day to cherish, as their boy Alex Carey delivered a sparkling hundred on his home turf to help the home side edge the first day's play.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in the contest, could be entirely disappointed. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous toss and, despite being not perfect, his bowlers kept toiling in sweltering conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below initial expectations when captain Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For The Tourist's Fightback.

The most impressive performer among England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful riposte against some of criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer and offering his captain both control together with clear menace. Only at the end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared somewhat jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's duck was a reminder of how this sport can swiftly bring a player back to reality, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract in the IPL.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, in contrast, was simply invaluable, culminating at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the Adelaide faithful to rise with a roar. Fresh from that masterful display behind the stumps at the Gabba, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls ensured that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four failed to develop into a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey has become a serious cricketer these days.

Australia undoubtedly left a few runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive bounce of the opening matches and in its place just a hint of seam movement if the right area was hit.

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

Emotional Context and A Late Switch.

This was inevitably a poignant occasion for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by musician a rendition performing a stirring version of True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts had also been forced into a change from their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has periodically 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 international career could be finished. Before Carey's heroics, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 and finessing a fine 82 from 126 deliveries just a day from turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing outing for England’s attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his inconsistent form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, no-balling five times but still dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone play.