Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Hosts Recover From A Swift English Ashes Onslaught.

In the wake of the chaos from Perth as well as Brisbane's pink-ball spectacle, a more traditional style of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the locals, it was a day to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding hundred at his home turf to help Australia just shade day one.

Not that England, 2-0 down while still fighting in this contest, could be entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous toss and, despite being not perfect, the English attack kept toiling in 35c heat. By the close of play, Australia were 326 for eight from 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below their expectations after Pat Cummins won the toss in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads England's Fightback.

The standout for England proved to be speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 off his 16 overs constituted a powerful response against some of scrutiny that came this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control together with obvious threat. It was only towards the very end of play – during a single over with the second new ball – did he look a bit weary.

Having bounced out Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three deliveries. Green's golden duck served as a reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours after securing a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Rescues The Ship.

Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at late afternoon when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three which prompted the crowd rose with a roar. Coming off his masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 off 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94/4 did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave a few runs on the field, however. Absent was that pronounced pace and bounce from the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble if a good length was located.

There was also a bit of turn to Will Jacks, even if his control was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be a poignant day for the host nation, arriving so soon after a devastating tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was immaculately held, broken only by musician a rendition delivering a stirring version of the anthem True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts had also been forced into a change from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out due to feeling dizzy and nausea in the morning – an apparent return of the vertigo that has intermittently troubled him since being felled by Archer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Before Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 from 126 deliveries a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey were crucial.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the sapping heat, it remained yet another frustrating day for the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse rather continued his form from the first two Tests, finishing with figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the duty of the new ball early on, overstepping on five occasions yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with periods of error-prone play.