“The Shield pitch showed if you didn’t get a new ball under lights,” Adelaide Pitch curator breaks silence on the nature of the pitch for the Pink ball Test
The focus now shifts to the second Test match at the Adelaide Oval, which is a Day/Night Test match with the Pink ball.
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India registered a historic 295-run victory against Australia in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The wicket started with lots of green grass on it, and India was bowled out for 150 in the first innings. However, they made a strong comeback by dismissing the Aussies for 104 runs in the first innings.
The focus now shifts to the second Test match at the Adelaide Oval, which is a Day/Night Test match with the Pink ball. The Pink ball does something more off the wicket and through the air, especially at night. Hence, the pitch condition in Adelaide has been a point of discussion. The pitch curator of the Adelaide Oval, Damian Hough, talked about the nature of the pitch for the upcoming Test match.
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.
Damian Hough said while speaking with cricket.com.au
Australia has won 11 out of the 12 Pink ball Test matches that they have played so far. Moreover, they have never lost a Pink ball Test at the Adelaide Oval. Last time around, Josh Hazlewood ran through the Indian batting order in the second innings of the first Test match in BGT 2020/21, resulting in India getting bowled out for 36 runs.
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test match in Adelaide
Hazlewood was Australia’s best bowler in the first Test match against India in Perth, and he was also the destroyer-in-chief the last time India faced Australia in a Pink ball Test in Adelaide. However, he will miss the second Test due to injury. Needless to say, he will definitely be missed by the Australians. Scott Boland, a like-for-like replacement of Hazlewood, is expected to replace him in the line-up.
Meanwhile, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, is back and is set to feature in the second Test match. Shubman Gill, India’s number three, who missed out on the first Test match due to injury, will return as well. There is a huge dilemma about the batting position of KL Rahul.
Rahul opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test and was sensational in both innings. He stitched together a 201-run partnership with Jaiswal in the second innings and also scored 77 runs. It remains to be seen where he will bat in the second Test.
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Rohit Sarkar
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