‘Brief internal switching issue’ to blame for darkness at Adelaide Oval

Adelaide Oval management has explained the cause of Friday night’s light issues during intense day one Test action. WATCH THE VIDEO

• Australia v India Test day one in pictures

Adelaide Oval was plunged into darkness during Friday night’s test match due to a “brief internal switching issue”, according to the Adelaide Oval Management Authority.

An extra three minutes was added to play to make up for the lost time, on top of the extra 30 already allowed.

Despite the interruption, the colourful crowd of passionate fans didn’t seem to mind in the least with many continuing to indulge in alcoholic beverages.

While the drinks were flowing, SAPOL said they were “generally pleased” with the crowd’s behaviour on Friday.

Five spectators were evicted from the ground by SAPOL while “numerous others” were removed by security for “intoxication and behavioural issues”.

No arrests were made.

The lights at AO flickered on and off during play. Photo: Kara Jung.

The Adelaide Oval crowd gasped twice in the 19th over when the main light towers suddenly switched off, creating an eerie scene.

The lighting on top of the grandstands was still operating but the shadowy state was not possible for play, which was delayed for several minutes.

Indian strike weapon Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t happy, approaching the umpires and waving his hands in the air when the lights went out the second time.

Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne were battling through a difficult night session as it was.

“Very frustrating for the umpires and the players. They will be having their concentration and routines broken like everyone else,” former international umpire Simon Taufel said on Channel 7.

“The match referee will be busy on his phone to the ground authorities to try to sort out what is going on and get some stability back into the contest.”

General view inside the stadium as the lights go out during day one of the Men's Test Match series between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 06, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The much-anticipated day-night clash is the unofficial social event of the festive season and warm, humid conditions failed to deter cricket lovers from packing out the hallowed stadium.

Among the 39,000-plus inside the ground were thousands of interstate visitors, many of whom dressed up in costumes to mark the occasion.

I can confirm there was no lack of power supply or availability in South Australia. Whatever caused the light towers at Adelaide Oval to turn off was not related to a lack of power supply from the Grid.

— Tom Koutsantonis MP (@TKoutsantonisMP) December 6, 2024

Tom Wright, Elliott Basso, Declan Rush and Bhanu Jalota, from Townsville, chose a group ensemble, with each dressed as a TV Teletubbie. While they admitted polyester may not have been the most sensible material for a day in the sun, they agreed “you gotta do something interesting”.

“There’s four of us and four Teletubbies so … seemed like a good idea,” Mr Rush said.

Janelle Stacey, from Canberra, brought her grandsons, Felix and Archer along to watch the Test. The trio stood out in green and gold face paint and curly wigs.

“(The costume) was (Grandma’s) idea,” Archer said. “She always gets on TV.”

A passionate cricket fan, Ms Stacey said she had watched the Australian team in Adelaide before and even travelled to India last year to cheer them on.

Indian supporters were loud and proud in the stands, with Deva the drummer bringing the party vibes with his thunderous beats. While he chose to go without his usual elaborate face paint due to the heat, the local fan said he was having a “lovely” experience at the cricket.

In the SACA members’ area, fans donned their finest linen shirts, sundresses and hats as they soaked up the atmosphere in the ever-popular Village Green area.

South Australian Cricket Association chief executive Charlie Hodgson said the atmosphere around the ground was “just incredible” on day one.