Australia vs India: Cricket Classic Resurfaces in Adelaide, Challenging 2020

Australia and India Face Off in Adelaide: A Classic in Uncertain Times

In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare for a new confrontation at the Adelaide Oval, the same scenario where their previous series began in 2018. The presence of the historical scoreboard and the imposing Moreton Bay trees at the north end of the field provide a sense of continuity, an essential element in Test cricket. This will be the 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, especially after a year with significant challenges. The series itself is an achievement, considering the difficulties both sides faced in ensuring its realization. During the difficult months of March, April, and May, when the sports world stopped, the possibility of the series not taking place was a real concern. Despite the goodwill between Cricket Australia and the BCCI, obstacles arose to organize the matches. Cricket Australia (CA) thanked India’s administrators and players for not raising major issues regarding the tour. The challenges for CA’s interim CEO, Nick Hockley, and chairman Earl Eddings, focused on finding a port of entry for the charter plane carrying the visiting team. Initial plans to land in Perth were moved to Adelaide and then to Brisbane, before finally settling on Sydney, Canberra, the New South Wales government and the SCG Trust. Even after the arrival of the Indians, there was a possibility that a Covid outbreak in Adelaide would disrupt the series. For a long time, Adelaide Oval was going to host at least one and possibly two test matches, given the extensive lockdown Melbourne faced for most of the year, which created uncertainty about Boxing Day until October.

However, the outbreak that forced a brief but strict lockdown in South Australia caused alternatives to be considered, such as starting the test series with a day/night Test at the MCG and then continuing with a more traditional game from December 26. These possible modifications were on the mind of Adelaide Oval curator, Damian Hough, who has had to deal with rock concerts and changes of football matches in the past. This year, he prepared a pitch for a test match with a Christmas parade instead of the Sheffield Shield matches as preparation.

“One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to be 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,” he added.

Damian Hough

Hough also mentioned that last year’s U2 concert was a much greater challenge compared to what they are facing this year. In addition, he expressed his surprise at the organization of the Christmas parade at the Adelaide Oval, calling it a unique year. The preparation of the Australian team has been key, especially the practice sessions in the center of the field. Captain Tim Paine highlighted the importance of these sessions, which provide an invaluable competitive advantage, especially in a match with the pink ball. Paine emphasized the difficulty of adapting to the conditions with the pink ball and under the lights, but highlighted that the three nights of practice in the center of the Adelaide Oval pitch were fundamental for the batsmen and bowlers to regain the feel. Kohli’s adaptation, who did not participate in the warm-up 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 their fearsome pace attack, have succeeded in dismissing Kohli early in the previous two series. However, if he manages to overcome that initial phase, Kohli has proven capable of causing damage to even the most formidable attacks. Paine acknowledged Kohli’s skill and the need for effective plans, but also the possibility that a player of his caliber could succeed despite the efforts of the opposing team. He highlighted the variety in the Australian attack, with options from different angles and speeds, as well as the spin of Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne, to face Kohli.

It is increasingly hopeful that Virat Kohli and Tim Paine will face each other later this year.Paine expressed his enjoyment and enthusiasm for the series, highlighting that the “bubble” environment is not as strict as in other tournaments, which allows him to rest well and be fresher. He also reflected on the importance of valuing what one has, especially in a year like this, where uncertainty has been constant. In a year marked by the pandemic, this new chapter in the rivalry between Australia and India promises to be a memorable sporting event, against the backdrop of a world still affected by the health crisis.