Adelaide kicks off international cricket summer and remains home of day-night Test cricket

Keith Bradshaw believes Pakistan’s first Test here in 29 years will crown Adelaide as the undisputed home of pink-ball Test cricket as the Oval prepares to also open the summer with a Twenty20 International.

Australian captain Steve Smith celebrates with Peter Handscomb following South African batsman Faf du Plessis dismissal at the Adelaide Oval in 2016. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

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Keith Bradshaw believes Pakistan’s first Test here in 29 years will crown Adelaide as the undisputed home of day-night Test cricket.

Adelaide — as revealed by The Advertiser last December — will host Pakistan in the second Test under day-night conditions from November 29.

Adelaide Oval during the Australia v South Africa day-night Test in November 2016. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

“We’re very proud that Adelaide Oval hosted the first ever day-night Test match four years ago. Pink ball Test cricket in Adelaide has been an outstanding success both on and off the field,” said South Australian Cricket Association chief Bradshaw, with Pakistan also playing a three-match T20 series next summer.

SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw with the pink day-night ball Adelaide Oval is making its own. Picture Simon Cross

“It’s hard to believe Pakistan has not played a Test match at Adelaide Oval since early 1990, it will be great to welcome them back.”

The international season will commence at Adelaide Oval on October 27 — inside a month after the AFL grand final — when Australia takes on Sri Lanka in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.

“There will be an early start to our international season with the T20 game in late October but it’s the first men’s international game of the season so I’m confident SACA Members and cricket fans will support the game,” Bradshaw told The Advertiser.

India’s heavyweight demand that Aaron Finch’s side tours in January for a three-match one-day series means there will be no 50-over cricket in Australia during summer for the first time in four decades.

Pakistan cricket star turned Prime Minister Imran Khan slashes away against Australia at Adelaide Oval in 1990.

Acquiescing to India’s schedule imposition could see Adelaide host the inaugural day-night Border-Gavaskar Test late next year which would be the icing on the cake for Bradshaw’s pink-ball vision.

Adelaide Oval has hosted New Zealand, South Africa and England in day-night Tests since 2015 to massive global broadcast and in-house audiences.

“The Adelaide Test is always a great event and day-night Test cricket has taken it to a new level,” he said.

Perth will host its first day-night Test in mid-December against New Zealand at Optus Stadium. SACA members now prefer early December Tests while those played under day-night conditions increase visitors from the eastern seaboard.

“We know that Adelaide has become a preferred venue as cricket fans travel from all across Australia and the world for the amazing Adelaide Oval experience,” Bradshaw said.

“Not every Test in Adelaide will be day-night but there’s no doubt our crowds and broadcast numbers have been impressive.

“All three previous pink ball Tests have set attendance records for the competing countries at Adelaide Oval.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was a dashing skipper when the side last visited Adelaide for a Test match in 1990.

Pakistan has toured Australia five times without visiting Adelaide since all-rounder Wasim Akram was man of the match recording a half-century, ton (123) and five wicket haul in a drawn second Test.

“They are a good Test side and won their last series against Australia last October, so it will be a challenging contest.”