Australia v India: SACA boss Keith Bradshaw confident Adelaide Oval will retain Test match despite COVID-19 concerns

Discussions have shifted from whether the Adelaide Oval Test will go ahead to how many fans will be permitted into the venue in December.

Josh Hazlewood fires down a delivery in the nets. Picture: Getty Images

Adelaide cricket officials have shifted their discussions from whether they will host a match to how many they can fit in as hopes rise for the day-night Test against India.

Adelaide has emerged from lockdown believing there are two obstacles left to its hosting the December 17-21 Test as scheduled – a late and unexpected COVID-19 outbreak or a surprise border closure from another state.

For the Test to proceed it must be guaranteed the Australian and Indian teams can fly to the next Test venue – at this stage Melbourne – for the Boxing Day Test, which looked in doubt last week when the state was rocked by a COVID outbreak.

“We have had some really productive discussions with the Premier and health officials and I am fairly confident the Test will go ahead,’’ SACA boss Keith Bradshaw told News Corp.

“Of course we are beholden to the situation.

“They are getting on top of COVID here at the moment, which is fantastic.

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SA Premier Steven Marshall (left), SA Health Dr Emily Kirkpatrick (right) and SACA CEO Keith Bradshaw outside Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mike Burton

“Everything is full steam ahead for the 17th.

“We have done every possible contingency plan around it in case things do change but the discussions we are having at the moment are around capacity.

“It has been a tough few days but at the moment it is positive.’’

The Adelaide Oval was initially permitted to have 27,000 attend each day of the Test – about 50 per cent capacity – and have not given up on that figure.

One unfortunate casualty of the Test will be the outdoor corporate areas, which are such a vibrant feature of Test week but will not be possible this season.

Tickets are not yet on sale for the Test.

It was hoped they would be available to the public on December 4 but that date could be extended.

While there is no official D-Day for a decision on whether Adelaide will host the Test it is expected a green light will be given in the next few days.

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Cricket Australia officials hope Adelaide’s strict lockdown will help save the first Test, as players pushed for the Gabba to be the first standby option.

Test spearhead Josh Hazlewood also warned against maintaining the first Test as a pink-ball affair in the event it did have to change venues from Adelaide – adamant it would be risky to rely on the harder Gabba or untried grounds like the MCG, SCG or Canberra to pull off a day-nighter without any proof conditions would be viable.

Hazlewood said Brisbane with a red ball is where players would always ideally love to start a Test series, but it appears no option in Australia is off the table, with suggestions even Perth could re-enter the conversation as an unlikely alternative to take over from Adelaide in the event of emergency.

The swift decision by the South Australian Government to shut the state down for at least six days however, has increased Cricket Australia’s confidence that Adelaide still has time on its side to get on top of its COVID-19 outbreak.

India would have to approve any change from the current schedule, but Hazlewood knows where his vote would be.

“It probably would be (The Gabba) to be fair. The longer we wait, the hotter it gets up there, so the quicks would all be happy to get that game done through early December, and we obviously have a really good record there and it’s a great place to start,” Hazlewood said.

As it stands, there are ground renovations planned at the Gabba at that time, not to mention the fact Queensland’s border restrictions could be as difficult to work with as any State.

Josh Hazlewood would push for the Gabba to host the first Test if it is moved away from Adelaide Oval due to COVID restrictions. Picture: Brett Costello

Broadcasters wouldn’t want to lose a day-night fixture from the menu given the ratings bonanza they can bring, but Hazlewood said you can’t simply transfer the pink ball to another venue and expect the same results as in Adelaide.

In the case of emergency, Hazlewood would advocate for a red-ball first Test in Brisbane, and Adelaide’s pink ball slotted in as the last Test, where the Gabba is currently scheduled.

“Yeah, I agree with that. I think it could be red-ball Melbourne or Brisbane or somewhere, then we head back to Adelaide later on in the summer,” Hazlewood said.

“But from all reports, we’re still good for Adelaide. But it can always change.

“He’s got the wicket perfect at Adelaide for a pink-ball Test. I’ve never played one in Melbourne. A few grounds around Australia are too abrasive or too hard, such as the Gabba or Perth.

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“I think those wickets are too hard for a pink ball. It goes quite soft after a certain amount of time. Adelaide’s got a great coverage of grass. It looks after the ball a little better throughout the overs.”

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said the famous MCG would be able to host the first two Tests of the summer if Adelaide went out of commission, but admits he is nervous that a scheduled practice game at the venue was cancelled on Tuesday, leaving ground staff without a dress rehearsal.

“I’ll say with absolute reservation, because I would love to see it held in Adelaide … But we’re capable and willing if required let’s put it that way. The G is available, we could host it,” Fox said on Gerard Whateley’s SEN show.

MCC CEO Stuart Fox said the MCG would be able to host the first two Test of the summer if Adelaide Oval is ruled out. Picture: Alex Coppel

“I’m not picking up the phone to Cricket Australia. They know we’re available. We’re actually clear at the moment right until Christmas. The pitches are in, the place is looking magnificent. We’re ready to go. Cricket Australia know we’re available. And I’m sure if they needed a back-up venue the MCG is a possibility.”

Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson withdrew from Australia’s white-ball series starting on November 27 due to the recent birth of his first child.

Meanwhile, Channel 9 announced they were keeping their fingers in cricket in the midst of the broadcaster uncertainty with Channel 7 – securing the rights for the UK Ashes in 2023.

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Originally published as Australia v India: SACA boss Keith Bradshaw confident Adelaide Oval will retain Test match despite COVID-19 concerns