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 scene of their previous encounter in 2018. The presence of the iconic scoreboard and the Moreton Bay trees at the north end of the field evokes the continuity 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 special, exceeding the expectations of the last 20 years. The realization of the series itself is an achievement, considering the challenges that the sports world faced during the months of March, April, and May. Despite the difficulties, Cricket Australia (CA) has managed to overcome obstacles, including finding an entry point for the Indian team. Initial plans to land in Perth were modified, considering options such as Adelaide and Brisbane, before Sydney, Canberra, and the New South Wales government finally secured the venue. The uncertainty persisted even after the arrival of the Indians, with the possibility of a Covid-19 outbreak in Adelaide that could have altered the schedule. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough has faced unique challenges this year, adapting to a context with rock concerts and football matches, but this time with special preparation for cricket.Practice sessions in the center of the field offer a competitive advantage for Australians, especially those who arrived before the Australian “A” team. Tim Paine highlighted the importance of these sessions for adapting to the pink ball conditions. Kohli’s adaptation will be crucial, given that this is his only Test of the series. 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 been successful in dismissing Kohli in previous series. Paine acknowledged Kohli’s ability to adapt and the danger he poses. “There are established plans that have worked in the past; hopefully they work soon enough this week, but if not, yes, we have a couple of different plans,” he stated. Tactical discussions and plans for the series provide a respite from Covid protocols and border restrictions. Paine, who values his cricket career, shows no signs of fatigue from the “bubble”.“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 in the moment a little more.”
Damian Hough
The events of 2020 ensure that this new chapter is as vibrant as any sporting competition, at a time when many in the world are still confined by the pandemic.“Absolutely not. I love it, to be honest,” Paine said. “I don’t think this hub has been as strict as the IPL or England’s. I sleep really well at night; my kids 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
