Adelaide Oval in line to host Boxing Day Test

SA is set to be the home of international and state cricket this summer, with Adelaide Oval in line to host India in back-to-back Test matches if Melbourne has to surrender the Boxing Day Test.

Australia batsman David Warner celebrates reaching his 300 against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval last season. Picture: Sarah Reed

Adelaide Oval is in line to host multiple Test cricket matches this summer.

And in what looms as a boon for South Australian cricket, plans have begun to host all six state teams in the first rounds of the domestic Sheffield Shield season in Adelaide, starting next month.

Doubts over whether any international cricket will be played in Perth this season has put Adelaide Oval in the box seat to host the one-off match against Afghanistan, which is scheduled to kick off the Test summer.

Doubts over Melbourne’s ability to host the Boxing Day Test against India because of COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in the SA Cricket Association having in-depth talks with Cricket Australia and the State Government about hosting more than one Test at the Oval.

The Oval is scheduled to host the second Test between Australia and India, a day-nighter, from December 11-15.

Adelaide Oval is ready to pounce on the Boxing Day Test. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

It is also on standby for the MCG’s Boxing Day Test and the one-off Australia-Afghanistan Test, which had been planned for Perth Stadium from November 21-25.

“We are willing, ready and able to host more international cricket, more than one Test, if required and we have advised Cricket Australia of that,’’ SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw said. “We are in discussions with the SA Government about the implications of bringing teams into the state and developing biosecurity plans (a hub at the just-completed, 138-room Adelaide Oval Hotel) that would enable us to do that.

India captain Virat Kohli. Picture: Peter Parks/AFP

“We want to make sure the health of players, officials and the public is paramount, so a lot of work is going into developing those plans.’’

Adelaide has emerged as a chance to host the Australia-Afghanistan Test after Western Australian premier Mark McGowan clamped down on CA’s plans to have Australia and India quarantine in a “soft hub’’ in Perth before their series. His comments followed a security breach by Sydney Swans AFL player Elijah Taylor, who had a secret meeting with his girlfriend.

Mr McGowan said he no longer felt it was acceptable for players to start training in Perth after returning from a high-risk location. Queensland, which will host this year’s AFL grand final, is also understood to be in the mix to host more Tests.

But Adelaide is making a compelling case and could host the first Test of the summer.

“The Oval Hotel will be ready to accommodate the Australian team when they return from their tour of England, and we could also do the same with India,’’ Bradshaw said.

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SACA has also put its hand up to host all six state teams in the first three-to-four rounds of the Shield season, starting in October.

This would include having the Victorian and New South Wales teams serve their 14-day quarantine periods at the Oval Hotel. Bradshaw said with Adelaide Oval needed for AFL and SANFL finals in October, Shield matches would be held at Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide No 2, Park 25 No 1 and Glenelg Oval.

Premier Steven Marshall said he “absolutely” wanted more Test cricket in Adelaide this summer, as SA yesterday again became COVID-free.

Adelaide is set for a bumper summer of cricket. Picture: Sarah Reed

“We would love to see as much cricket action at Adelaide Oval later this year and early next year as we can possibly handle safely,’’ he said. Mr Marshall said WA had “put itself in a difficult position because it’s not allowing people into Western Australia whereas Adelaide is more open”. Asked if SA would roll out the welcome carpet to India and allow it to base itself in Adelaide for the summer, Mr Marshall said “lots and lots of different scenarios are being considered”.

“What I can say is there’s an excellent working relationship between the Adelaide Oval and SA Health but also Cricket Australia.’’

The state’s transmission committee meets today.

West Torrens cricketer Archer Sendy, 8, said he could not wait for the summer of cricket to begin. “It makes me really happy to see the players close up and it would be great to see a lot of Sheffield Shield cricket as well,’’ he said.

Originally published as Adelaide Oval in line to host Boxing Day Test