Australia and India Face Off in Adelaide in a Historic Test Match
After a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare for a new confrontation at the Adelaide Oval, scene of the start of their previous series in 2018. The image of the scoreboard and the iconic Moreton Bay trees at the north end of the field evoke the tradition of test cricket and will serve as a backdrop for the teams led by Tim Paine and Virat Kohli in the first day/night Test for India away from home. This encounter between two of cricket’s most powerful nations promises to be memorable, especially after a period of uncertainty that cast doubt on the series’ realization. Logistical challenges and health restrictions were constant, but the determination of both federations and the support of the players made this event possible. Initial planning for the arrival of the Indian team underwent modifications, with changes to the point of entry and concerns about potential Covid-19 outbreaks. Despite these obstacles, the event went ahead, with the hope of offering a top-level sporting spectacle. The Adelaide Oval curator, Damian Hough, has worked hard to prepare the field, adapting to the unusual circumstances of this year. “One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to live more in the present,” Hough commented. “We like to plan months in advance. We still had plans, but we had to live in the moment a little more.” The training in the center of the field, which the Australian team was able to carry out, could be a key advantage. “We have been lucky enough to arrive early in Adelaide,” Paine said. “We trained three nights in a row in the center of the field at the Adelaide Oval, which I think will be a great advantage for our team.” Kohli’s adaptation, who did not participate in the practice match at the SCG, will be crucial for the result in Adelaide. Furthermore, this will be Kohli’s only test match in the series, as Ajinkya Rahane will take over the leadership in the remaining three matches. Australians, with players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, have had success in the past in dismissing Kohli early in the series. However, Kohli has proven to be a formidable opponent, capable of adapting and causing damage even to the most feared attacks.Tactical discussions and planning for the series offer a respite from concerns about Covid protocols and border restrictions. Paine, who values his test cricket career, doesn’t feel fatigue at the moment and enjoys the experience. “I’m sleeping better here and feel fresher than at home, so life in the concentration could make me play longer,” he stated. The series between India and Australia promises to be a vibrant and exciting sporting event, at a time when many people around the world are still grappling with the pandemic.“Virat is undoubtedly one of the best players, if not the best player in the world,” Paine said. “We have plans that have worked well against him in the past; hopefully, they’ll work early enough this week, but if not, we have a couple of different plans.”
Tim Paine
