Australia and India Face Off in Adelaide: A Classic in Times of Pandemic
In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare for a new confrontation at the Adelaide Oval, the same venue where they began their previous series in 2018. The familiar sight of the scoreboard and the Moreton Bay trees at the north end of the field evoke the tradition of test cricket, creating an emblematic 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 considering the challenges they faced to make the series happen. From March to May, uncertainty about the future of the sport was palpable. Despite the financial forces driving the 12 test matches between Australia and India since 1999, the realization of the series was uncertain. In a difficult year for Cricket Australia (CA), with conflicts with state associations, governments and broadcasters, the collaboration of Indian administrators and players was crucial. The obstacles for CA focused on securing an entry point for the visiting team’s charter plane. Initial plans to land in Perth were modified to Adelaide, then to Brisbane, before Sydney, Canberra, the New South Wales government and the SCG Trust finally intervened. Even after the arrival of the Indians, a Covid outbreak in Adelaide threatened the series. Adelaide Oval, originally scheduled to host one or two Tests, had to adapt to the changing circumstances. Damian Hough, the curator of Adelaide Oval, faced preparing a pitch for a Test match with a Christmas party as a prelude, adapting to the demands of the moment.Training sessions in the middle of the field have given Australian players a competitive advantage. Captain Tim Paine highlighted the importance of these sessions to adapt to the conditions of the pink ball and the lights, a unique challenge in test cricket. Kohli’s adaptation, who did not participate in the practice match at the SCG, will be crucial for the result in Adelaide. This match is Kohli’s only Test in the series, before Ajinkya Rahane takes over the leadership for the remaining three matches. The Australians, with their potent bowling attack, have had success in the early dismissal of Kohli in the last two series. However, overcoming this phase is key, as Kohli has demonstrated his ability to damage even the most formidable attacks. Captain Paine recognizes Kohli’s prowess and the need to have several plans in play. Tactical discussions and plans for the series are a refreshing change from Covid protocols, border restrictions and the financial impacts of the year. Paine, who values his test cricket career, shows no signs of “bubble fatigue”.“One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to live more in the present,” Hough said. “We like to plan months in advance. We still had plans, but we had to live a little more in the moment.”
Damian Hough
The clash between India and Australia in 2020 promises to be an unforgettable sporting event, at a time when many around the world remain confined due to the pandemic.“Absolutely not. I love it, to be honest,” Paine said. “I don’t think this hub has been as strict as maybe the IPL or the one in England. I sleep very well at night; my children are at home, which is good in a way, but I certainly miss them. But I sleep better here and feel fresher here than at home, so life in the hub might make me play longer, if anything.”
Tim Paine
