The Ashes

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Jofra Archer was England's standout bowler on the opening day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, taking 3-29 in 16 overs.

The England bowler was criticised for his display in the second Test, with Australia's Steve Smith suggesting he only bowled quick when the game was all-but over.

However, he responded in Adelaide with sustained spells of quality fast bowling.

"Jofra Archer has been magnificent today," said ex-England captain Michael Vaughan. "He has bowled with great pace and discipline."

Former England spinner Graeme Swann, speaking to TNT Sports, added: "Jofra Archer, after the criticism he received after Brisbane - which I thought was harsh at the time - he's bowled brilliantly today.

"He's been aggressive, he's been at the batsmen and conceded less than 30 runs in a day with three wickets to his name. He's been exceptional."

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Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey said it was "special" to dedicate his century to his late father on day one of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Carey's excellent 106 on his home ground helped the hosts reach 326-8 at the close of play.

It was also an emotional moment for Carey, whose father died in September. Carey's wife was in tears in the crowd as the batter celebrated by looking to the skies.

"To make a hundred here in front of home fans and family was special," he said.

"I guess you know as well why I was looking to the heavens. I'm trying not to tear up. But, no, it was great.

"To have, mum, brother, sister, Eloise, the kids here, it was a special moment."

Carey's century was his first in Ashes cricket and comes on the back of a superb performance with the gloves in the second Test in Brisbane.

He was booed by England fans throughout the final three Tests of the 2023 Ashes series because of his role in the Bairstow stumping but the Adelaide crowd chanted his name on reaching three figures here.

His century was not without controversy. He admitted he edged a delivery from England pace bowler Josh Tongue that was caught by Jamie Smith when the Australia wicketkeeper had 72.

However, he was given not out on the field, a decision not overturned when England reviewed because of an error by the operator of the Snicko technology.

Despite a large spike of sound on the Snicko technology, TV umpire Chris Gaffaney struck down England's review because the ball appeared to be away from the bat when the sound occurred.

Yet it is understood a discrepancy was caused by the sound used for the review being taken from the stump microphone at the bowlers' end, rather than the strikers' end.

BBG Sports, the company that owns Snicko, has accepted culpability for the mistake.

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Before the opening day of the third Test in Adelaide, Australian singer John Williamson will perform True Blue as a tribute to the victims of the Bondi shootings.

At least 15 people were killed on Bondi beach on Sunday, with many attending an event to mark the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Williamson will follow a moment's silence and precede the Welcome to Country and national anthems.

Both teams will wear black armbands and flags at Adelaide Oval will be flown at half-mast.

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Former England seamer Steven Finn reckons spin will "play a big part" in the third Ashes Test but can still understand why Shoaib Bashir has been left out.

England have decided to stick with spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks for Adelaide even though they have previously backed Bashir as their frontline spinner.

England skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum felt Bashir had the attributes to succeed in Australia, mainly a high release point and the ability to extract bounce from the surface.

However, Finn said the decision to pick Jacks, who played his first Test in three years in Brisbane, was a rational one despite investing time into Bashir.

"You have to be pragmatic in the situation. I don't think you can preempt, especially on a tour like this, someone playing months or years out," Finn told BBC Radio 5 Live's Ashes third Test preview show.

"I think it was anticipated Jacks would get the nod especially given his batting prowess. The management have to pick the XI they think can deliver."

Bashir has taken 68 wickets in 19 Tests for England but only returned from a finger injury at the start of the tour and bowled expensively in matches outside the Tests.

Finn also said there was a "human element" to not selecting Bashir and suggested there was "probably more going on behind the scenes".

"It's going to be 37c and a good pitch. It wouldn't be a surprised if spin played a big part," added Finn, who played 36 Tests and 69 one-day internationals.

"But if you throw someone into this environment and they are not quite ready we have seen how harsh it can be."