Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Hundred Helps Australia Regroup From Early England Test Series Charge.

In the wake of that chaos of the Perth Test and the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, an outbreak of familiar style of red-ball cricket returned at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted home crowd, the day proved a day to enjoy, as local hero the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered an outstanding century on his home turf to help Australia edge the opening day.

However, England, 2-0 down and clinging on in this contest, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like a crucial toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack continued plugging away in scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs – runs on the board but surely below their expectations when captain Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer for England proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 off his 16 overs were a strong riposte to the criticism that came his way. Here he visibly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun while providing his captain a combination of accuracy together with clear menace. Only at the very end of play – one over with the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck was a reminder that this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back to reality, his tepid chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours after trousering a massive £1.5m contract in the Indian Premier League.

Carey's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Innings.

Carey's performance, however, was simply priceless, peaking around late afternoon when he drove Stokes through cover for three runs and the Adelaide faithful to rise in a huge roar. Coming off that masterful outing with the gloves at the Gabba, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 runs from 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete collapse. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player these days.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left some runs on the field, however. Absent was that pronounced pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if a good length was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his consistency was typical of a part-time spinner – hence expensive figures of 2/105 from 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Context and A Late Switch.

The day's play was inevitably a poignant day for the host nation, arriving so shortly after the horrific tragic incident at Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was immaculately observed, broken only by musician John Williams performing an emotional version of the anthem True Blue.

By this stage, the hosts were also compelled to make a change to their announced starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with sickness first thing – an apparent return of a vertigo issue which has periodically troubled him since being felled by Archer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career could be over. Before Carey's heroics, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, coming to the crease at 33/2 and crafting 82 off 126 balls a day out before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 runs with Alex Carey proved crucial.

The Tourist's Frustration Persists.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 in 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when tasked with sharing the new cherry early on, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for 10 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.