Event of the Day: Australia versus India
Our event of the day is Day One of the First Test between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval in Australia. The tourists go into this series as the number one ranked Test side in the world, however Australia have not lost a Test series on home soil since 2016. In the last series between these two great nations of the sport, in March 2017, India came out on top, coming from behind to win the series 2-1 after losing the first Test. Asian teams have notoriously found Test matches in Australia difficult. So much so, that an Asian nation has never won a series down under, showing how good the Australian’s are on home soil.
However, many pundits of the sport claim that the current Australian national side is the worst it has been for decades. This is highlighted by the fact that they have lost 19 of their last 26 matches across all formats and captain Tim Paine will be desperate to stop the rot in this series against the Indians. It will be the number one priority for the Australian bowlers and fielders to limit the impact of Virat Kohli throughout this test. Officially ranked the best Test batsman in the world, Kohli has posted some outstanding numbers and has already notched 24 centuries in just 73 Test matches. India have also bolstered their bowling brigade with some dangerous fast bowlers, which Indian sides of yesteryear notoriously didn’t have. Despite undoubtably being one of the toughest sides to beat in the Test format, India can struggle away from home, and they will be eager to buck this particular trend against a beatable Australia side. Today is the start of an exciting 4 match Test series and will be fascinating to see if India can finally win a series in Australia.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Varsity Match between Oxford University and Cambridge University. There will be both a men’s and women’s game in the sport of rugby union, as the two historic universities battle it out for bragging rights on the biggest day of their sporting calendars. There is also a busy day of sport across the pond where in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans face the Jacksonville Jaguars in an all-AFC South clash. In the NHL, the New Jersey Devils will look to snap their six-game losing streak as they travel to face the Kings in LA. The Portland Trail Blazers welcome the Phoenix Suns to the Moda Center in the NBA, with the Suns having won just once on the road all season. Finally, back in the UK, Day Ten of the UK Snooker Championships gets underway in York as the final edges ever closer.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by ICC Cricket