Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Century Assists The Baggy Greens Regroup After Early English Ashes Onslaught.

Following that frenzy of the Perth Test and Brisbane's pink-ball palooza, a more traditional style of red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the locals, the day proved a day to cherish, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced a sparkling hundred on his home venue as Australia the home side just shade the first day's play.

However, The touring English side, trailing 2-0 and still fighting in this series, were entirely disappointed. Skipper Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared a crucial toss and, though far from perfect, his bowlers continued persevering under scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians were 326-8 off 83 overs bowled – a total on the board but surely short of their ambitions when captain Pat Cummins got the choice first thing.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Effort.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of 3/29 from 16 overs constituted a strong answer to some of scrutiny that came his way. On this day he clearly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking 88mph (142kmh) on the speedometer and offering his captain a combination of accuracy and clear threat. It was only towards the very end of the day – during a single over using the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over after lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the space of three balls. Green's duck served as a reminder that cricket can swiftly bring a player back to reality, his weak chip shot to the mid-wicket fielder arriving barely 24 hours following securing a record £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League.

The Keeper's Invaluable Innings Steadies The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was nothing short of invaluable, peaking at 4.48pm as he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through the covers for three runs and the Adelaide faithful rose with a roar. Coming off his virtuoso outing behind the stumps in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 from 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble to 94 for four failed to develop into a complete crisis. At 34, Carey has become a genuinely cricketer these days.

The Australian batting lineup did leave a few potential runs out there, though. Absent was that excessive pace and bounce of the opening matches replaced by only a fraction of nibble if a good length was located.

The pitch also offered some turn for off-spinner Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-time spinner – hence figures of 2/105 off 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will encourage Australia's own spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Backdrop and A Late Switch.

This was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, arriving so shortly in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. A minute's silence observed prior to the start of play was immaculately observed, followed by musician John Williams performing an emotional rendition of the anthem 'True Blue'.

By this stage, Australia had also been forced into an alteration from their announced starting eleven. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with nausea first thing – seemingly return of a vertigo issue that has periodically troubled the star batter since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord's years back.

In came Usman Khawaja, just 24 hours after it was speculated his Test career could be finished. Before the wicketkeeper's arrival, the left-hander had held the innings steady, walking out with the score on 33/2 before finessing 82 off 126 deliveries a day out before turning 39. Partnerships worth 61 runs with Labuschagne plus another of 91 runs with Alex Carey proved significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Continues.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, it remained yet another disappointing day for the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse somewhat continued his form from the series, finishing with two for 70 from 13 overs, while the incoming Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

The Durham bowler was erratic when handed sharing the new ball early on, no-balling on five occasions yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather summed up the day's play for both teams: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy cricket.