Damian Hough, the man in charge of preparing the Adelaide pitch, has said that he really wants to produce a fair wicket for the Test match between Australia and India. So far, the five-match Test series has moved on to a score of 1-0 for India after last month’s crushing 295-run defeat of Australia at Perth. Now its Adelaide Oval’s turn to host the second Test from December 6.
While Australia will strive to extend their unbeaten run at home in a pink-ball Test, India, led by Rohit Sharma, will try to spoil the show for them and make it a double in terms of imbalance.
The Adelaide Oval is notorious for short square boundaries but makes it difficult for batsmen to hit the straight boundaries. However, the pitch will have lots of grass on scope for an even contest between bat and ball.
“Hard to bat under lights in Adelaide”- Damian Hough
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Damian Hough, the curator of the Adelaide pitch, has given fans a preview of the conditions for the pink ball test. On December 4, Hough said the 6mm grass jacket would help the seamers. The surface was designed to have an even contest between bat and ball with batters, seamers, and spinners having opportunities to make their mark.
However, under otherwise defined conditions, such as at night and cloudy skies, seamers might receive some extra help from the wicket, which might alter the team’s thinking as well as selection for the upcoming Test match.
“History suggests that it is hard to bat under lights in Adelaide. The pitch will have 6mm grass. We are trying to produce a pitch that would be a good contest. The pitch did not play a part in the Test match finalising in three days last time India were here. I thought that it was really good bowling from Australia,” curator Damian Hough told press ahead of the pink ball Test on Wednesday.
“As long as there is something in it for all aspects of the game, I am happy. I just want a good contest. The ball hooping around has got nothing to do with the pitch. Under right conditions, right weather, the ball will move,” he further added.
It should be mentioned that India was bowled out at the lowest score in Test cricket history—36—during their most recent match at the Adelaide Oval.
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