Australia backed by pink-ball dominance ahead of Adelaide test

The Australian cricket team is brimming with confidence as they prepare to face India in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, to be played at the Adelaide Oval. The hosts have an exceptional record in day-night Test matches, particularly at this venue, and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey believes this experience will be crucial in turning the series around after a disappointing loss in Perth.

“We’re excited. We should take a lot – and we do take a lot – of confidence out of our record from pink-ball cricket,” Carey said. “It doesn’t mean we’ll have the success, but I think our methods, our style of play, and the experience we have with this group, we’ll bounce back from Perth.” 

Australia have won 11 of their 12 pink-ball Tests, with all seven victories coming at the Adelaide Oval. The most famous of these wins was against India in 2020, when the visitors were bowled out for a historic low score of 36 runs in the second innings.

However, Carey cautioned against complacency, acknowledging India’s strong performance in the first Test. “I’m sure India will be confident from the last game as well, so it will be a great contest,” he added.

The Australian team will be looking to exploit the unique challenges posed by the pink ball under lights. The seam and swing generated by the ball, especially in the final session, can often prove difficult for batsmen.

The return of experienced bowlers like Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to the Australian attack will further bolster their chances. Both bowlers have a proven track record in day-night Tests and are expected to play a crucial role in the Adelaide Test.

India, on the other hand, will be aiming to carry the momentum from their convincing win in Perth. Their bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, were exceptional in the first Test and will be looking to repeat their performance in Adelaide.

However, the Indian team will need to adapt to the challenging conditions and the aggressive Australian bowling attack. The pink-ball Test is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams eager to gain a crucial advantage in the series.

While the Australian team is drawing confidence from their past performances, they are also aware of the need to adapt to changing conditions and the threat posed by the Indian team. The Adelaide Test promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the outcome likely to have a significant impact on the course of the series.