New Delhi: India and Australia shouldn’t think twice about naming a spinner in their playing XIs at the pink ball Test that begins in Adelaide on Friday as there would be assistance to for them, says head curator of the ground.
Damian Hough, who is the chief curator of the Adelaide Oval ground, said they have prepared a track with plenty of grass that will bring the spinners into play as the match goes on.
In the opening Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar series, which India won by 295 runs, the match lasted for four days and Hough has prepared the Adelaide pitch to last the distance.
“History suggests that it is hard to bat under lights in Adelaide. The pitch will have 6mm of grass. We’re trying to allow all facets of the game to shine at some stage during the game,” Hough said on Wednesday, two days before beginning of the Test.
“What we’re trying to do is have a coarse mat grass — thatchy type of grass that’s dry and hard. And the reason we do that is we’re trying to get as much pace and bounce out of the pitch as what we can get for us, for Adelaide, which is a lower clay content.”
‘Spin will play a role’
Hough promised that the wicket will have 6mm grass cover to prevent early wear out, bringing spinners into play as the match gets old. At Perth, the spinners didn’t get much purchase from the wicket, but Adelaide would be different.
“Spin normally plays a role so it can get a good bite or purchase out of that grass and it normally gets good bounce. So that’s a game plan. Hopefully, as the ball gets older, the batters can cash in and if there’s a partnership out there, they cash in and go from there,” he said.
“Spin always plays a role in Adelaide. You need to pick a front-line spinner. There should never be a question of ‘do we, don’t we?’ It should always be ‘do’.”
Hough reminded that spinners have traditionally has some sort of assistance at Adelaide and they are keen to maintain it, while striking a right balance between bat and ball.
“From my side, always pick a spinner. The idea of leaving that extra bit of grass and that matty grass is for the spinner to be able to get purchase out of that mat and get it to bite, grip, and bounce,” he added.
“We want spin to play a role at Adelaide. We might not be able to get as much as other places around the world, but spin traditionally plays a role.” He reiterated that the aim is to have a good, balanced contest.
Hough pointed out that weather has a big role in movement of the pink ball under lights. Weather forecasts have spoken of thunderstorms on the opening day of the match.
“Normally the quicks should be able to get some assistance throughout the game. And we know the quicks can. Spin can come into it in that night session. Under lights, if they can get hold of a new ball in that night session, normally is quite entertaining.
“We’re trying to get that balance right…We’re trying really hard to ensure that the balance between bat and ball is there and we can allow the batters to shine strategically throughout the course of the game.”
Damian Hough, who is the chief curator of the Adelaide Oval ground, said they have prepared a track with plenty of grass that will bring the spinners into play as the match goes on. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
