Alex Carey's Brilliant Hundred Helps Australia Recover From A Swift English Ashes Charge.

Following that frenzy from Perth as well as the Gabba's day-night spectacle, a more familiar brand of red-ball cricket broke out at the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved a day to enjoy, with homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a magnificent century at his home ground to help the home side edge the first day's play.

Not that The touring English side, trailing 2-0 while still fighting in this contest, could be too disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what seemed like an ominous coin toss and, though far from at their best, the English attack kept persevering in scorching conditions. By the close of play, Australia were 326-8 from 83 overs – runs on the board yet likely short of initial expectations after Pat Cummins got the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a strong answer against the scrutiny directed at him his way. On this day he visibly led the attack, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun and offering Stokes a combination of accuracy and clear menace. Only at the very end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – that he appeared a bit weary.

After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green in the space of three balls. The all-rounder's golden duck was a stark reminder of how this sport can bring even a celebrated player back down to earth, his tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving barely a day after trousering a massive £1.5m deal in the IPL.

The Keeper's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's day, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking around 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Stokes through the covers for three runs which prompted the Adelaide faithful rose in a huge roar. Fresh from that virtuoso display behind the stumps in Brisbane, his counterattacking 106 from 143 balls made sure that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer nowadays.

The Australian batting lineup undoubtedly left a few runs on the field, however. Gone was the excessive pace and bounce from the first two Tests and in its place just a hint of nibble if the right area was hit.

The pitch also offered a bit of grip to Will Jacks, even if his consistency was that of a part-timer – resulting in figures of two for 105 from 20 overs – and the balls that did to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and Late Team Change.

This was always going to be a poignant day for Australia, arriving so soon after a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. A minute's silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by folk singer a rendition delivering a stirring rendition of 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia were also compelled to make a change to their stated starting eleven. Steve Smith pulled out after reporting dizziness and sickness first thing – seemingly recurrence of the vertigo which has intermittently affected the star batter ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after many felt his Test career may be over. Until Carey's heroics, the left-hander had held the Australian innings steady, coming to the crease at 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day from his 39th birthday. Stands of 61 with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Archer aside, and despite the energy-sapping heat, it remained yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 in 15 overs.

The Durham bowler looked all over the shop when tasked with sharing the new cherry first thing, no-balling five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs thanks to a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley at cover. This moment encapsulated the day for both teams: brilliance interspersed with periods of sloppy cricket.