Greg Blewett Highlights Redeveloped Adelaide Oval as England’s Best Chance for Ashes Revival
Preparations are underway for the third Ashes Test between Australia and England at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval. Greg Blewett, a former Australia batter born in Adelaide, has commented that while the Oval may lack some of its old charm due to redevelopment, it could suit England and offer them a key opportunity for revival in the series.
The Adelaide Oval now has a 53,000-capacity as a multi-purpose venue featuring a drop-in pitch. Despite redevelopment, heritage elements have been preserved, including the original 1911 scoreboard and the integration of Moreton Bay fig trees and ivy-covered arches into the new pavilion.
England's last daytime Test at this ground was in 2013 during redevelopment, when Australia's Mitchell Johnson took seven wickets. England notably won at Adelaide in 1995 in the fourth Test, overturning a 2-0 series deficit with a 106-run upset victory.
Blewett recalls his own unbeaten 102 for South Australia as the first century by a local player at Adelaide Oval since Greg Chappell in 1982. Local favourite Travis Head, an aggressive left-hander who is central to South Australia's batting identity, has scored three Test centuries at this venue.
The pitch over the past decade has typically featured drop-in wickets with less carry, but the third Test is expected to promote more traditional, stump-to-stump cricket. Currently trailing 2-0 in the series, England regard the venue as their best chance to revive their Ashes campaign.
