History will be made as the first ever day-night Test is played on a very sad anniversary for cricket when Australia take on New Zealand in the third and final Test at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia hold an unassailable series lead of 1-0, but will feel frustrated that they are not up 2-0 and aiming for a whitewash.
After absolutely dominating at the Gabba in the first Test, where they claimed victory by over 200 runs, the Aussies looked to be on track for a similar result at the WACA in the second Test after posting a massive first-innings score of 9 declared for 559 on the back of 253 from David Warner.
However, New Zealand launched a spirited fightback, led by Ross Taylor (290) and Kane Williamson (166), to record a first innings lead, being bowled all out for 624 shortly before lunch on the fourth day.
From there, with a rain interruption on the fifth day, as well as a long partnership between Steve Smith and Adam Voges, the match was only ever going to end in a draw.
Australia may have already reclaimed the Trans-Tasman Trophy – as the trophy holders, they only need a drawn series to keep it – but Warner said it would feel like a series loss if they were to go down to New Zealand and draw the series at one game apiece.
Day 1 will be a sad one for the cricket community, with November 27 marking one year to the day since Phillip Hughes passed away, after being struck in the head by a bouncer, doing what he loved.
It is fitting that an international match is taking place on the one year anniversary of Phillip’s passing, and at his adopted home ground of the Adelaide Oval.
The story of the series so far has been massive first-innings scores – huge ones in fact. In both of the first two matches, Australia won the toss and elected to bat. They managed to compile a total of 4 declared for 556 in the first Test, before scoring the aforementioned 559 in the second.
In fact, Australia haven’t been bowled out at all this series, with New Zealand taking four and seven wickets in each of the second innings.
Normally with a match at the Adelaide Oval, traditionally the flattest track in Australia, you would expect more of the same. However, with the pink ball and night cricket coming into play, this theory goes flying out the window. While runs could come thick and fast during the first two sessions, don’t expect the teams to have it so easy during the night session.
Every time the pink ball has been trialled, the bulk of wickets have fallen during the night session. Steve Smith even took the bold decision of declaring New South Wales’ innings on Day 1 in a recent Sheffield Shield match, and had three wickets in six overs by stumps.
The key to the third Test looks to be each side’s top orders. So far, the Australians have dominated that battle, with David Warner, Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja all racking up centuries.
New Zealand’s openers have struggled, with neither Tom Latham nor Martin Guptill going past 50. Williamson has added respectability to their performances, but he can’t do it all on his own, especially against the unknowns of the pink ball.
For the Black Caps to have any chance, their opening batsmen must find a way to combat Australia’s pace attack and score runs.
Australia could well be effected by losing the in-form Khawaja – who has picked up a hamstring injury and will miss this Test, and more than likely the first one against the West Indies – with Shaun Marsh called up for yet another opportunity in his place. If either of the openers fail, then the pressure goes onto Marsh’s shoulders.
Australia have one other forced change for this match, with Mitchell Johnson pulling the pin on his career. Peter Siddle is expected to replace him, while James Pattison and Steve O’Keefe are also into the squad as there is a chance Josh Hazlewood will be rested.
There is a large possibility that Trent Boult will miss the game due to a back niggle, and if he is unable to play he is expected to be replaced by fellow pace bowler Neil Wagner.
Australia have a near-perfect record over New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval. While the sides have only clashed their four times before, Australia have won three of the matches and two of them by an innings. The other was drawn. The most recent of those was in the 2008-09 Test summer, with Australia getting up by an innings and 62 runs.
Prediction
It’s just about impossible to predict what will happen with so many unknowns. New Zealand carry some momentum into the match after finishing on top at the WACA. They could well be good enough to win it, but regardless it shouldn’t go past four days.
Don’t forget The Roar will have you covered for every session of the Third Test in our live blog.
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