Alex Carey has warned that 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The tourists are known to prefer flatter wickets, with England’s home pitches becoming better for batting in recent years.<\/p>\n
Batting averages by Test venue over past decade<\/p>\n
SCG: 36.38<\/p>\n
MCG: 30.54<\/p>\n
Gabba: 28.39<\/p>\n
Adelaide Oval (day-night): 28.07<\/p>\n
Perth Stadium: 27.23<\/p>\n
Adelaide Oval (day): 22.77<\/p>\n
Bellerive Oval: 18.40<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But the numbers now suggest otherwise, regardless of ball colour.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Wickets have in fact fallen at a quicker rate than in pink-ball matches, with batting averages also lower in red-ball games.<\/p>\n
Statistically, only Bellerive in Hobart 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.<\/p>\n
Carey said it was wrong to think Adelaide was only good for batters.<\/p>\n
“In terms of flatness, I think Adelaide is very consistent, which doesn’t make it a batting paradise the whole time,” Carey said<\/p>\n
“There is always something with the new ball, but there is always something for the batters to score big runs.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n