The rain played a huge part in the IND vs AUS 1st ODI in Perth. While the match finally had at least 26 overs each, rain continued to interrupt the match throughout India’s innings. As the bandwagon moves to Adelaide Oval for the 2nd ODI, rain follows them. It has been a rainy week in Adelaide with not much sunlight. As a result, the Adelaide pitch remained damp. With no help of the sun, the curator had to deploy some additional measures to dry the pitch 48 hours before the 2nd ODI on Thursday.
As per a Revsportz report, the pitch curator in Adelaide deployed heat lamps on the centre wicket to dry them as there is a 99% chance of rain through Tuesday night.
What are heat lamps?
In the subcontinent, many have witnessed hairdryers, woodfire, pedestal fans and even helicopter to dry pitches. But in Australia and England, the stadium authorities deploy modern measures. Heat lamps are nothing but high wattage bulbs that generate more heat than traditional lightbulbs and LED lights. These lamps emit infrared radiation to generate heat which is directed towards the wet patches on the pitch. As a result, it evaporates the moisture on the soil and grass.
Heat lamps are used in various purposes including bathrooms and animal farms to help speed up drying process. Pitch curators across the world also turn to an array of heat lamps to quickly dry outfields and pitches.
Adelaide Oval pitch report
The best pitch of the lot is traditionally expected at the Adelaide Oval in Australia. The pitch generally offers a flat surface with even bounce. However, for the IND vs AUS 2nd ODI, it could be a little different. With a lot of rainfall predicted on Monday and Tuesday, the pitch will remain under covers. Although, the forecast for Thursday is great with lot of sunlight, the fact that the pitch would remain under cover for at least 48 hours before the match day, there will be moisture.
Australia’s pace battery, including Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis, could have that advantage if India bat first. It would be difficult for batters early on as there would be seam movement. However, as the match progresses, the pitch will dry up and that will help the middle-order batters score some runs.
With India down 0-1 in the three-match series, it’s a do-or-die for Shubman Gill & Co to restore parity. India have not won an ODI series in Australia since 2019. The last time India visited Australia for an ODI serires, in 2020, they lost 1-2. Gill would aim to change that after losing all matches on captaincy debut.
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