Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Century Helps Australia Bounce Back From A Swift English Test Series Assault.

After that frenzy of the Perth Test and the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more traditional style regarding the longest format broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the home crowd, it was a day to savour, with their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a sparkling hundred at his home turf to help Australia edge the opening day.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in the contest, were entirely disheartened. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though far from perfect, the English attack continued toiling in scorching heat. By the close of play, Australia had reached 326 for eight from 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely below initial ambitions after Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

The Pace of Archer Leads The Tourist's Fightback.

The most impressive performer among the tourists was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs constituted a powerful answer against some of criticism that came this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the attack, averaging 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy together with obvious menace. Only at the very end of the day – one over using the fresh cherry – did he look somewhat jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald first thing, the fast bowler's initial over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's golden duck served as a reminder that this sport can swiftly bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder occurring barely a day following trousering a massive multi-million dollar contract in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Innings.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his virtuoso display with the gloves in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that a mid-innings stumble to 94 for four did not become a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

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

The pitch also offered a bit of grip for off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was that of a part-timer – resulting in expensive figures of two for 105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries that did to turn sharply will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Emotional Backdrop and Late Switch.

This was inevitably an emotional occasion for Australia, coming so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by musician a rendition performing an emotional version of 'True Blue'.

Earlier, the hosts had also been forced into a change to their announced XI. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and nausea in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue which has periodically affected the star batter since being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his international career may be finished. Before Carey's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out at 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 from 126 balls a day out before his 39th birthday. Partnerships of 61 with Marnus Labuschagne and 91 with Carey were significant.

England's Frustration Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and despite the energy-sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating outing from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the series, finishing with two for 70 off 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling five times yet removing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some error-prone play.