Carey and Khawaja star in roller-coaster opening day

Alex Carey's maiden Ashes century and Usman Khawaja's unlikely career revival have saved Australia's blushes in Adelaide, as the hosts finished day one at 8-326.

On a day when Australia were at times guilty of throwing away wickets, Khawaja and Carey ensured the hosts finished Wednesday on level pegging.

For Carey, his 106 fulfilled a boyhood dream of a home-town Test century, while also offering an Ashes moment to saviour after the dramas of 2023.

And in the case of Khawaja, his 82 came after the 38-year-old's Test career looked over just 24 hours earlier when he was initially left out of Australia's team.

The pair's runs helped cancel out Jofra Archer's best day of the Ashes for England, with the quick taking 3-29, including a double strike in the first over after lunch.

Australia will no doubt have had their sights set on a bigger first-innings total after winning the toss and batting in the heat, even after Steve Smith was ruled out with vertigo.

Jake Weatherald and Travis Head went within seven balls of each other in the first hour, the former skying a pull shot when Archer cramped him for room.

Head at least fell to a superb Zak Crawley catch at cover, but the half-volley from Brydon Carse was hardly one of the day's better balls.

And when Marnus Labuschagne (19) and Cameron Green (0) both picked out Carse at midwicket off the bowling Archer in the first over after lunch, Australia were 4-94.

But while Mark Waugh labelled all four dismissals as "soft" in Kayo's commentary, Khawaja and Carey led Australia's fightback.

Called back into the team through Smith's illness, Khawaja was his old laconic self as he peeled off boundaries behind square either side of the wicket.

He swept, cut and pulled his way to 82, albeit after being granted a life when dropped at second slip on five by Harry Brook.

Batting at No.4, Khawaja's innings marked just his third score over 50 in 28 innings, and at least made some case for him to remain in Australia's side for Boxing Day.

That case would have been strengthened had he not swept Will Jacks (2-105) to Josh Tongue at cow corner, and instead surged on to make a century.

Then Carey took over the innings, making the most of his recent elevation to No.6.

Told by Stuart Broad at Lord's in 2023 that all he'd be remembered for was stumping Jonny Bairstow, Australia's wicketkeeper created an Ashes tale of his own.

With Australia able to retain the urn in Adelaide this week, Carey was at his best as he went after Jacks, even sweeping him for six over long-on.

The left-hander also had success down the ground and through the covers, and looked to the sky in honour of his late father when he brought up his century from 135 balls.

The wicketkeeper fell shortly afterwards when he top-edged a sweep off Jacks, but Mitchell Starc's unbeaten 33 helped Australia through to stumps.

How long Starc and Nathan Lyon (0no) can prolong Australia's innings on Thursday could be key, with temperatures fore to reach 39C in Adelaide.