Alex Carey's Brilliant Ton Aids Australia Regroup From A Swift English Test Series Assault.

After that pandemonium of Perth and the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more traditional style of Test cricket broke out on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, the day proved a day to enjoy, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up a sparkling hundred at his home turf to help the home side just shade day one.

However, The touring English side, 2-0 down while clinging on in this series, were entirely disheartened. Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a significant toss and, though not at their best, the English attack kept persevering in sweltering conditions. At stumps, Australia were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely below initial expectations after Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

The Pace of Archer Leads England's Fightback.

The standout among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from 16 overs constituted a powerful answer against the criticism directed at him this past week. On this day he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging around 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer while providing Stokes both control and obvious menace. Only at the end of the day – one over with the second new ball – that he appeared a bit jaded.

After dismissed opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's first over after lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's duck served as a reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from weak chip to mid-wicket arriving barely 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar deal in the IPL.

Carey's Invaluable Contribution Steadies The Ship.

Carey's day, however, was nothing short of invaluable, culminating around 4.48pm as he drove Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd to rise with a roar. Coming off that masterful display behind the stumps in Brisbane, the left-hander's counterattacking 106 from 143 deliveries made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94/4 did not become a full-blown collapse. At 34, Carey is a genuinely Test match player these days.

Australia did leave some runs out there, however. Gone was that pronounced pace and bounce from the first two Tests replaced by just a hint of seam movement when a good length was located.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his consistency was typical of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 from his 20 overs – but the deliveries he did get to misbehave will give hope to Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with A Late Switch.

This was always going to be a poignant occasion for Australia, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence prior to the first ball was immaculately observed, followed by folk singer John Williams performing an emotional version of True Blue.

Earlier, Australia had also been forced into an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness along with sickness in the morning – seemingly recurrence of a vertigo issue that has periodically troubled him since he was struck by Archer at Lord's years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his international career may be finished. Until the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had expertly held the Australian innings together, walking out with the score on 33 for two before finessing a fine 82 from 126 deliveries just a day before turning 39. Partnerships of 61 with Labuschagne and 91 with Carey proved crucial.

England's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping heat, this was yet another frustrating day for England’s attack. Brydon Carse somewhat continued his inconsistent form of the first two Tests, finishing with two for 70 off his 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue picked up one for 63 in 15 overs.

Carse was erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. This moment summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance mixed with periods of sloppy play.