Adelaide pitch curator shares insight on “tricky” nature of pink-ball Test

One of the key elements of trying to craft a masterclass performance in Australia against the pink-ball is knowing the pitch well. If the dynamics of the surface can be aligned with the massive lateral movement that the pink ball emanates under the lights, then batters might just have an added edge in the upcoming second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide.

As India and Australia prepare for the second Test, Damian Hough, the chief pitch curator of Adelaide, provided a crucial update on how the pitch might look for the match.

As reported by ESPNCricinfo, Hough made it clear that the conditions will be identical to other day-night Tests and one would need smart application to navigate the treacherous cross-currents of the pink-ball.

Hough said, “Everything seems to stay the same. So it's, of course, matted grass, even grass cover, good, deep moisture, but dry and hard. So, something where quicks will get a bit out of it, spinners will be able to get some height and bounce, but also important for [batters] to get some partnerships in at the most, and be able to play their shots.”

He further added, “Both teams have, like, elite bowlers, world-class bowlers. I mean, we've seen enough day-nighters to know that if you get the new rock under lights with two new batters in, that it can be very tricky. So, you know, the teams obviously play that game and adapt and are quite tactical when they do that. If there's an opportunity to get the new ball under lights, it'll be tricky. So if they don't, which the Shield pitch showed, that if you didn't get the new ball under lights and you had a couple of set batters in, you're able to see through some night-time cricket."

With the win in Perth, India has reclaimed the top spot in the points table in the ongoing WTC while South Africa has leapt up in the second spot with a win percentage of 59.26. There are still four Tests to go which will squeeze out the two Test juggernauts hoping to leave a significant mark on the fate of the two finalists in the latest iteration of the ICC World Test Championship.