South Australia's early lifting of lockdown aids Adelaide's cricket Test hopes

The potential for the first summer cricket Test between Australia and India being played at the Adelaide Oval has been enhanced with the early lifting on lockdown measures imposed by the South Australian Government this week.

Next month’s day-night Test had looked in some jeopardy as the state introduced a lockdown this week after the emergence of a COVID-19 cluster, with South Australia’s chief medical officer  admitting that there was no guarantee the match could be hosted.

With speculation that the opening Test of the summer might be moved to Sydney or Melbourne if required, Friday’s news that restrictions will be eased appear to have allayed concerns over the 17th December fixture – to which Cricket Australia had remained committed.

Australian Associated Press has also reported that five of the upcoming matches against India are set to be sellouts.

The series consists of a three-match ODI series followed by three T20s, with Cricket Australian apparently having been told that all but the ODI series opener against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground next Friday will be sold out.

Although venues are currently running at reduced capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions, with Cricket Australia reportedly hopeful that the Boxing Day Test at the MCG will be allowed to welcome a capacity crowd.

The first two ODIs will be held at the 46,000-capacity SCG and the third at the 13,500-capacity Manuka Oval in Canberra. The first T20 will be staged at Manuka Oval on 4th December, with the last two matches of the series scheduled for the SCG.

It means crowds of around 23,000 at the SCG and 6500 at Manuka Oval are set to attend matches.