Australia and India Face Off in Adelaide: A Classic in Times of Covid
In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare for a new confrontation at the Adelaide Oval, the same venue that hosted their encounter in 2018. The view of the scoreboard and the iconic Moreton Bay trees create a familiar atmosphere for test cricket, serving as a backdrop for the teams led by Tim Paine and Virat Kohli in India’s first day/night Test away from home. This encounter between two of the most powerful cricket nations promises to be special, exceeding the expectations of the last 20 years. The series itself is an achievement, considering the challenges presented by the pandemic. From March to May, when sport largely ground to a halt, the possibility of the series not taking place was real. Despite the goodwill between Cricket Australia and the BCCI, the obstacles to staging the series were significant. Nick Hockley, CA’s interim chief executive, and chairman Earl Eddings faced logistical challenges, including finding a point of entry for the visiting team’s charter plane. Initial plans to land in Perth were modified, going through Adelaide and Brisbane, before finally opting for Sydney, Canberra and the New South Wales government. Even after India’s arrival, a Covid outbreak in Adelaide could have disrupted the series. The possibility of the first Test being played at the MCG was considered, but the original venue was ultimately maintained. Damian Hough, the curator of the Adelaide Oval, has been working on preparing a playing field for the match, considering the possibility of a Christmas event instead of the Sheffield Shield matches as preparation.Practice sessions in the center of the field provide a competitive advantage for Australian players, especially for those who arrived before those who played for Australia A.“One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to live more in the present. We had to adapt and live in the moment a little more,” said Hough.
Damian Hough
Training in the center of the field
Paine highlighted the advantage of training in the center field of the Adelaide Oval, a crucial aspect for adapting to the match conditions with the pink ball and the lights. Kohli’s adaptation, who did not participate in the practice match at the SCG, will be key, especially as it is his only test match in the series. With Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy for the next three matches, this encounter takes on a special significance. Australian bowlers, such as Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, will look to control Kohli, who has proven to be an adaptable and dangerous player.Paine appreciates his cricket career, and highlights that he feels revitalized in the “bubble” environment, enjoying better rest and feeling fresher than at home. This clash between India and Australia promises to be a memorable event, especially at a time when the world continues to grapple with the challenges of the pandemic.“Everyone has big plans to get the best players out, but that’s why they’re the best, they can adapt, they can change with what you’re doing, and Virat is certainly one of the best players, if not the best player in the world,” Paine said.
Tim Paine
