Australia and India clash in Adelaide: A duel marked by uncertainty
In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare for a new confrontation, this time at the iconic Adelaide Oval, the scene of the start of their 2018 series. The presence of the old scoreboard and the Moreton Bay trees provide a sense of continuity in test cricket, serving as a 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 has special value, especially after a year full of challenges. The series itself is an achievement, considering the difficulties that arose. From March to May, when the sports world stopped, the possibility of the series not taking place was real. Despite the goodwill between Cricket Australia and the BCCI, the obstacles were significant. The main challenge for CA’s interim CEO, Nick Hockley, and chairman Earl Eddings, was finding an entry point for the plane carrying the team. Initial plans to land in Perth were moved to Adelaide, then to Brisbane, before Sydney, Canberra and the New South Wales government were finally chosen. Even after the arrival of the Indians, a Covid outbreak in Adelaide could have disrupted the series. The possibility of Adelaide Oval hosting one or two matches was considered, but circumstances changed. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough has had to adapt to events such as rock concerts and changes to football matches, but this year he focused on preparing a test pitch with a Christmas atmosphere instead of the Sheffield Shield games.Practice sessions are a competitive advantage for the Australian team. Captain Tim Paine highlighted the importance of training at the Adelaide Oval center field, which gives them an edge in adapting to the pink ball conditions. Kohli’s adaptation, who did not participate in the practice match at the SCG, will be crucial. Furthermore, this will be Kohli’s only test match in the series, before Ajinkya Rahane takes over the leadership in the following three matches. Australians, with players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, have been successful in limiting Kohli in previous series. Paine acknowledges Kohli’s ability to adapt and the importance of having a plan to face him. Tactical discussions and plans for the series are a respite from Covid protocols and border restrictions. Paine, who values his cricket career, shows no signs of “bubble fatigue”.“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 in the moment a little more.”
Damian Hough
After a year of challenges, this new chapter between India and Australia promises to be an unforgettable sporting event.“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
