Curator Damien Hough has promised to leave some grass on the pitch for the series opener between India and Australia in Adelaide, even though it will be a day affair, unlike the three day-night Tests played here in the past three seasons.
Hough had kept an extra layer of grass to increase the durability of the pink ball in day-night Test in the past but he doesn’t see the need for a change in the red ball Test beginning this Thursday.
“We won’t be doing anything different. The preparation will be the same. The only difference is, we get the covers off earlier and start earlier,” Hough told The Weekend Australian .
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“We do the same preparation for red-ball cricket and pink-ball cricket at Shield level. The best way to get an even contest is to leave some grass on the pitch and get a balance between bat and ball. Right now, we really feel that this is where it’s at for the pitch,” he added.
The inaugural day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval had ended in three days while the second one was extended to fourth day. The third Test at this venue ended in the first session of day five. If the curator rolls out a green top, it could suit the fast bowlers of both teams.
The outcome of the first Test could set up the tone for the four-match series.
India is eyeing its maiden series win in Australia while the host would want to get back to winning ways after enduring a prolonged dismal run in absence of suspended Steve Smith and David Warner.
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