This will mark India’s first pink-ball Test in Australia since their infamous collapse for 36 runs at the same venue in 2020.
India vs Australia 2nd Test Day 1
Potential thunderstorms are predicted for the opening day of the India vs. Australia day-night Test, set to begin on Friday—an unusual occurrence for Adelaide at this time of year. This marks India’s first pink-ball Test in Australia since their infamous collapse for 36 runs at the same venue in 2020. However, Adelaide pitch curator Damian Hough reassured that the pitch was not to blame for that performance.
“I’m not sure of the exact timing of the storms on Friday, but we’re expecting to use the covers a bit,” Hough explained. “Hopefully, it clears out by Saturday morning, and the remainder of the Test should proceed without weather disruptions.”
Hough emphasized that weather plays a crucial role in the movement of the pink ball. “The ball swinging around is not dependent on the pitch. Under the right weather conditions, the ball will naturally move,” he explained.
Reflecting on the past, he said, “No one expected that Test match to end in three days on the morning of day three. That was just exceptional bowling from Australia… I don’t think the pitch had any influence on that.”
Hough also acknowledged the challenges faced by batters during twilight sessions in pink-ball Test cricket. While he didn’t have specific player feedback, he agreed with the general perception that these sessions can be the most difficult for batters.
“I focus on pitch preparation, so I don’t get too involved in discussions with players about what they find challenging,” he noted. “But history shows that the night session tends to become more lively, especially when a new ball is introduced, there’s a declaration, or a couple of new batters come in under lights. It seems to take more adjustment for the batsmen. If a couple of players are already in, they handle it better. Early on, players struggled with picking the seam, even with spinners. I know Kookaburra has done a lot of work with the ball, but I’m not sure about the specifics.”
“I mainly focus on my role in the game, which is preparing the pitch. I don’t try to delve into all the other aspects of the game. If I can get my part right with my team, it helps create the conditions for the players to shine.”
