Australia vs India: Cricket match in Adelaide, a respite after the chaos of 2020

In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India face each other in the same scenario where their previous encounter began in 2018: the Adelaide Oval. The familiar view of the scoreboard and the iconic Moreton Bay trees at the northern end of the field offer a sense of continuity, a hallmark of Test cricket. This will be the 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 the most powerful cricket nations promises to be memorable, especially considering the current context. The series is an achievement in itself.

Despite the influential financial forces that have driven India and Australia to contest 12 test series since 1999, a number similar to the Ashes series that Australia has played against England in the same period, everyone involved and viewers have experienced moments of uncertainty about the realization of the series this year.

During the difficult months of March, April and May, when the world of sport was practically paralyzed, the possibility of the series not taking place was seriously considered. More recently, the challenges focused on the obstacles to organizing the series, despite the good will between Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In a year in which its leaders have faced challenges with state associations, state governments and broadcasters, CA has been grateful that India’s administrators and players have not raised significant issues about the tour. The obstacles for CA’s interim chief executive, Nick Hockley, and chairman Earl Eddings, focused primarily on finding a port of entry for the charter plane carrying the touring team. Initial plans to land in Perth were moved to Adelaide, then to Brisbane, before finally being accommodated by Sydney, Canberra, the New South Wales government and the SCG Trust. Anxiety reached its peak during a prolonged and ultimately unsuccessful negotiation with the Queensland government. 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 scheduled to host at least one and possibly two tests, given the prolonged quarantine Melbourne faced for most of the year, which generated uncertainty until October. However, the outbreak that forced a brief and strict lockdown in South Australia led to considering the possibility of starting the test series with a day/night test at the MCG and then continuing with a more traditional game from December 26. All these permutations were on the mind of Adelaide Oval curator, Damian Hough.

“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 a U2 concert last year posed a greater challenge than what they are facing this year. He highlighted the uniqueness of this year, mentioning that he never imagined seeing a Christmas parade at the Adelaide Oval. The curator expressed his satisfaction at being able to offer Australia training in the center of the field on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which he considered a successful preparation. Hough stated that they are using the same formula that has worked in the past and are sticking to the game plan.

These sessions in the center of the field are presented as an invaluable competitive advantage for the members of the Australian team, who arrived earlier than those who played for Australia A against the Indians on a different surface at the SCG, something that Paine did not hesitate to point out.

Legend: The confrontation between Virat Kohli and Tim Paine is eagerly anticipated.

Paine acknowledged the advantage of arriving early in Adelaide and training in the center of the Adelaide Oval field for three consecutive nights, which he considers crucial for the team. He highlighted the difficulty of adapting to the conditions of the pink ball, especially without a shield test match as preparation. Paine emphasized the importance of learning on the go, in real time, when entering the field. Kohli’s adaptation, who did not participate in the warm-up match at the SCG, will be a critical factor in the result in Adelaide. This is accentuated by the fact that this is Kohli’s only test match in the series, making it a unique event before Ajinkya Rahane takes over the captaincy in the remaining three matches. With players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, the Australians have succeeded in dismissing Kohli early in the last two series. However, once that phase is overcome, Kohli has demonstrated his ability to damage even the most formidable attacks.

“Everyone has big plans to get the best players out, right? But that’s the reason 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

Paine added that, while they have plans that have worked against Kohli in the past, they also have different strategies in case they don’t work. He highlighted the diversity of their attack, with options from different angles, speeds and the spin of Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne. In contrast to discussions about Covid protocols, border restrictions and the financial impacts of the year, tactical conversations and pre-series plans offer a respite. Paine, who values his test career more than most after considering retirement in 2017, does not feel “bubble fatigue”.

“Absolutely not. I love it, to be honest,” Paine said. “I don’t think this hub has been as strict as perhaps 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

Paine concluded that, while the frequency of encounters between India and Australia in recent years has generated some fatigue, the events of 2020 have ensured that this latest chapter is as vivid as any sporting competition, especially at a time when many people around the world remain confined due to the pandemic.