Alex Carey's Stunning Hundred Assists The Baggy Greens Recover From Early English Ashes Assault.

Following that chaos from the Perth Test as well as Brisbane's day-night spectacle, a more familiar brand of Test cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the delighted home crowd, it was one to cherish, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding century on his home ground to help the home side just shade day one.

However, England, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this series, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial coin toss and, despite being far from perfect, the English attack continued toiling under 35c heat. At stumps, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of initial ambitions after captain Pat Cummins got the toss first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The standout for the tourists was Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off 16 overs were a strong response against some of criticism that came this past week. Here he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speed gun and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and clear menace. Only at the very end of play – one over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary.

Having dismissed Jake Weatherald early on, the fast bowler's first over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three deliveries. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder of how cricket can bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to mid-wicket arriving barely a day following securing a record £1.5m deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at late afternoon as he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three which prompted the crowd rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that masterful display with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that the mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup did leave some runs on the field, however. Absent was the excessive bounce of the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of seam movement if the right area was located.

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

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Switch.

The day's play was always going to be an emotional occasion for the host nation, coming so shortly after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the first ball was perfectly held, followed by musician a rendition delivering an emotional rendition of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts had also been forced into an alteration to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with nausea first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo which has intermittently affected the star batter ever since being felled by Archer at Lord’s six years ago.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career could be over. Until Carey's heroics, Khawaja had held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 and crafting a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out from his 39th birthday. Stands worth 61 runs with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 runs with Carey proved crucial.

England's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing outing from England’s attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 off 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse was all over the shop when tasked with sharing the duty of the new cherry first thing, overstepping five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.