Narrative flipped on traditionally flat Adelaide Oval pitch ahead of third Ashes TestScott Bailey, AAP7NEWS SportMon, 15 December 2025 7:47AM
Alex Carey has warned Adelaide may not be the batter’s paradise England expect, with data showing the wicket won’t necessarily be easier to bat on with a red ball.
Staring down the barrel of an irredeemable 3-0 series deficit, England coach Brendon McCullum predicted on Sunday that the Adelaide pitch would suit England’s style this week.
The tourists are known to prefer flatter wickets, with England’s home pitches becoming better for batting in recent years.
Adelaide has traditionally provided just that, being long regarded as the best wicket in Australia to bat on over the past 50 years, prior to the introduction of a pink ball.
But the numbers now suggest otherwise, regardless of ball colour.
While only two red-ball Tests have been played at the ground over the past 10 years, the highest team total in either of them is India’s 307 against Australia in 2018.
Wickets have in fact fallen at a quicker rate than in pink-ball matches, with batting averages also lower in red-ball games.
Statistically, only Bellerive has proven a harder venue for players to score runs in Tests over the past decade, when accounting for both day and day-night Tests.
Speaking at a Cooper’s Pale Ale promotion, local boy Carey said it was wrong to think Adelaide was only good for batters.
“In terms of flatness, I think Adelaide is very consistent, which doesn’t make it a batting paradise the whole time,” Carey said
“There is always something with the new ball, but there is always something for the batters to score big runs.
“I love playing here, Trav (Head) loves playing here, the Australian cricket team loves playing here. I think there will be enough in it for bat and ball.
“Sheffield Shield wickets this year have been great for batting and bowling. A bit of spin comes into it late.”
Potentially working into England’s favour is the fact the pitch doesn’t traditionally offer as much bounce as Perth and the Gabba, where the tourists have been well beaten.
Seven centuries have been scored on it across four Shield games this summer, in a season where the Gabba has been the most batter-friendly of all Test venues.
“I think these conditions should suit our style a little bit better as well,” McCullum said.
“(They) are going to be quite different to what we’ve faced in both the Gabba and at Perth as well.
“We just need to chisel away at some of the things we haven’t got quite right and make sure that we still have that conviction in what we’re trying to achieve.
“It doesn’t mean we couldn’t have been a success from previously, but this is probably more attuned to our best style of cricket.”
Batting averages by Test venue over the past decade
SCG: 36.38
MCG: 30.54
Gabba: 28.39
Adelaide Oval (day-night): 28.07
Perth Stadium: 27.23
Adelaide Oval (day): 22.77
Bellerive Oval: 18.40
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