Australia captain Ricky Ponting has tipped an outright result in the second Ashes Test. But like so many before it, the match at Adelaide Oval may be well into the final day before the winner becomes apparent.
Adelaide famously offers a little to fast men on the first morning before flattening out and then eventually affording turn to spinners and variable bounce to quicks in the closing stages.
Despite a run-infested final three days of the first Test at the Gabba, Ponting reckoned history dictated that Adelaide would be likely to produce a 1-0 advantage to one of the teams.
“If you look at the history of Test cricket here in Australia there are a lot of result games,” Ponting said.
“I don’t see anything different in the wickets around the country that would indicate that it’s going to be any harder to take 20 wickets.”
Ponting was steadfast in his belief that there was only one viable option for the captain who won the toss.
“It’s not very often you come to Adelaide and it’s not a bat-first pitch. It does look particularly good … it looks like it’s ready to go. It’s a nice day out there, the sun’s out. I’d be surprised if whoever wins the toss … doesn’t bat first.
“If you look through the history of games here you need to be making big first-innings scores, it’s generally a pretty good place to bat.”
England captain Andrew Strauss is looking for more out of highly regarded off spinner Graeme Swann, something that will be helped by the chance to bowl last.
“We have seen him on wickets that have helped him in the past, he has been threatening for all batsmen and there is no reason to assume that will be any different,” said Strauss.
“But any turn or help there is for spinners tends to come very much on day four and five rather than in the first half of the game.”
The match is due to start at 1030 (CDT) on Friday.
Teams
AUSTRALIA: Ricky Ponting (capt), Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Xavier Doherty, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus (12th man tba).ENGLAND (probable): Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Jimmy Anderson, Steve Finn, Eoin Morgan (12th man).
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