Search

show me:

Adelaide Test boost with lockdown lifted

3 minute read

South Australia's hopes of hosting the first Test against India at Adelaide Oval have risen with lockdown set to be lifted in the state.

TRAVIS HEAD of South Australia.
TRAVIS HEAD of South Australia. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Adelaide's chances of hosting the first Test against India have received a massive boost with South Australia's lockdown set to be lifted.

Next month's day-night Test had looked in some jeopardy following South Australia's COVID cluster, with the state's chief medico admitting this week there was no guarantee they could host.

That prompted some belief that either Sydney or Melbourne could step up if required, in what would likely still be a pink-ball fixture.

But Friday's news of the easing of restrictions from Saturday will go a long way to allaying those concerns over the December 17 fixture.

Cricket Australia have remained committed to the opening Test of the summer at Adelaide Oval, and have not deviated from those plans.

The opening of Victoria's border, which was shut for just two days initially on Thursday, will also be crucial to that.

Adelaide is widely considered the best cricket wicket in the country, while it's surface is also considered the best for the pink ball.

Meanwhile South Australia's only Test player insists his dash out of Adelaide won't hurt his preparations, with adaptability to be as important as cover drives this summer.

Travis Head made the move to NSW's north coast on Tuesday, along with the entire Adelaide strikers squad and other Adelaide based Big Bash players.

He will continue his preparations in Coffs Harbour, before heading to Sydney for a series of Australia A matches before the first Test.

"You have to be adaptable, that's the main focus of the summer," Head said.

"We were on a golf course three days ago and now we're in Coffs.

"We have already come out of one bubble so we have experienced that already."

The Adelaide contingent aren't the only group to be on the move this summer.

NSW were forced to head into a Sheffield Shield bubble in Adelaide early last month, amid fears of an outbreak in south-west Sydney.

Victoria's Shield schedule also changed over time, after they were forced to spend two weeks in lockdown when entering South Australia last month.

ODI and Twenty20 players and staff from Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland who were in Adelaide for the Shield bubble have also had to fly to Sydney early this week to avoid a quarantine period.

But Head can at least see the positive of the move, given he'd be in South Australia's hard six-day lockdown if he was still home.

"Leaving was mixed emotions, we didn't realise it was a lockdown," Head said.

"We're very fortunate to be outside ... They got on the front foot and got us out pretty quickly.

"We're very fortunate to be out here training, it's something we wouldn't be able to do in lockdown."

Head hit two centuries in the first two rounds of the Shield, and is the competition's third-leading run-scorer with 455 at an average of 65.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au