Adelaide Oval to host blockbuster Australia-India day-night Test in December

Blockbuster international cricket is coming to Adelaide Oval next summer – but will it be played under lights? Find out here.

Big time international cricket is coming to South Australia, with Adelaide Oval to host next summer’s Second Test between Australia and India.

The day-night, pink-ball encounter will be held from Friday, December 6 to Tuesday, December 10, and is expected to signal the start of a blockbuster, seven-year Test schedule at the famous ground – arguably the best in the world – for the SA Cricket Association.

“We have worked closely with Cricket Australia in recent months to ensure a long-term schedule of international cricket that rewards SACA members and all South Australian sporting fans for their passion and dedication,” said SACA president Will Rayner, stressing his desire to lock in premium Tests at Adelaide Oval.

“At every stage of the negotiations we have looked to not only secure a fair and rewarding deal for SACA but a strong deal that promotes growth for Australian cricket.’’

Adelaide Oval will host India in early December next summer before accommodating England in an Ashes Series in 2025.

Action from the Australia-India Test match at Adelaide Oval in 2020. Picture: William West (AFP)

While this year’s Test will be held in early December, the SACA – disappointed it has had to host the struggling West Indies in the past two seasons – has been negotiating with CA to stage most of its Tests just before Christmas in what it would brand the “Christmas Test’’ in competition with Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test and Sydney’s New Year’s Test.

CA’s long-term Test schedule is expected to be revealed after Easter.

In the highlight of Adelaide Oval’s 2024-25 international summer, India will return to play a Test at the ground for the first time since 2020 when it lost to Australia by eight wickets after remarkably being bundled out for 36 in its second innings.

Australia will next season play a five-Test series against India – for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – for the first time since 1991-92, beginning with the first Test in Perth from November 22-26.

India fans show their colours at the Australia-India Test match at Adelaide Oval in 2020. Picture: Tom Huntley

“This is going to be one of the biggest matches Adelaide has hosted in a long time,’’ star Australia and South Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey said.

“Obviously the Ashes draws big crowds and great attention but for South Australia, Adelaide Oval, back to a pink-ball Test and against one of the best teams in this (Test) format, it’s going to be huge.

“It’s so exciting to come up against the very best here at Adelaide Oval – I’ve been involved in some great battles against India – under lights on one of the best pitches in the world, where there will be enough in it for the fast bowlers, batters and spinners.’’

Other highlights of next summer’s international fixture at Adelaide Oval include a marquee women’s Ashes T20 night fixture between Australia and England on January 25 and a men’s One-Day International day-night clash between the Aussies and Pakistan on November 8.

Star Australia and South Australia wicketkeeper/batter Alex Carey at Adelaide Oval before this year’s Test against the West Indies. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“We look forward to welcoming England for a huge Women’s Ashes fixture, Pakistan for a white-ball battle in November and India for a marquee day-night Test and, as always, we know our members will turn up in huge numbers for these matches and we look forward to again showcasing our amazing city to the world,’’ Rayner said.

Australia’s 2024-25 international season will get underway in September when the Australian women host New Zealand for three T20 Internationals in Queensland.

“This is one of the most highly anticipated summers of cricket in memory with the eyes of the cricket world focused on the extended Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series and the multiformat Women’s Ashes,’’ CA chief executive Nick Hockley said.