Border Gavaskar Trophy: ‘It should be good for the remainder of the Test’: Pitch curator on the rain affected second India Australia Test match at Adelaide Oval

While Australia have played in 12 of the 23 Pink Ball Test matches since 2015, when the concept was introduced, they have won 11 Pink Ball Test matches. India on the other hand have played in four Pink Ball Test matches having played their first such Test against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in 2019. Indian have won three out of their four Pink Ball Test matches with three wins in India and the only loss coming at Adelaide in 2020-2021. According to Hough, a total of 6mm of grass will be left on the pitch for the Test, the same length as provided for the Sheffield match between South Australia and Western Australia. Pacers had accounted for most of the wickets with Jayden Godwin, Henry Hunt and Cameron Bancroft hitting centuries in the match, which was drawn. “Shield games, whether it’s a red ball or a pink one, we’re trying to replicate the Shield and the Test preparation … very similar preparations. The Shield pitch showed if you didn’t get a new ball under lights, and you had a couple of set batters in, you’re able to see through some night-time cricket,” said Hough.

The pitch curator also views that pitch played any role in India’s score of 36 in the second innings, the last time India played at Adelaide Oval. Indian had a 53-run lead after the first innings. “On the morning of day three, no one would have expected that Test match to finish in three days. That was just really good bowling from Australia … I don’t think the pitch played a part in that. Our job is to get that balance right and try to get a really good, even contest,” concluded Hough. The pitch used in Adelaide is drop in one.