What awaits England in Adelaide? Lowdown on Gabba pitch, new ground, state icon and Ashes history ahead of crucial third Test against Australia
Published 15/12/2025 at 14:34 GMT
In the third of a series looking at the five host cities of the Ashes series during the Australian summer, we look at the individual characteristics of Adelaide and the arena where the action will be taking place, as well as picking out the cricketing icon from the state and the best Ashes moment played there. The 2025/26 Ashes series is exclusively live in the UK on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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The city of churches for many years, a little unfairly, had to fight the reputation of being regarded as the most boring of the state capitals in Australia.
In recent years, it has become more appreciated as a livable city, away from the road blocks and expense of Melbourne and Sydney, neighboured by picturesque beaches and wineries.
Adelaide Oval
Many Australian stadiums lack the grandeur to go with their gargantuan proportions. This is not true of the Adelaide Oval which stands perhaps behind only Cape Town’s Newlands as the most picturesque cricket ground in the world.
Unlike the rest of the Test venues, when the need to expand arose, care was taken over the aesthetics, preserving the hill at one end, the famous old scoreboard and iconic view of St Peter’s Cathedral.
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A general view of the Adelaide Oval during last month's Sheffield Shield between South Australia and Western Australia
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Being a walkable distance from the centre of the city gives the Test an all-absorbing feel which the other states cannot match.
The majority of people attending the ground through the year do so to watch the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Aussie Rules matches - with the pair’s Showdown probably the most intense and best Australian sporting rivalry after the NRL State of Origin - but the Test match remains the social event of the year and exponentially more so in an Ashes year.
The only problem this causes is that the huge marquees at the back of the Members Stand attracts thousands of fans looking for shade and to quench a thirst, making the ground look half empty and not reflective of the 53,500 who come through the gates.
What about the pitch?
In many ways this should suit England best. It has the most consistently regular (non-bouncy) wickets in Australia meaning England’s batting line-up driving outside off stump is less precarious - but hopefully still taken on with caution.
If Harry Brook is to show his otherworldly talents at any stage of the series it would be here, on a ground with short, square boundaries, where he can send all-comers to all parts, just as Kevin Pietersen did when hitting 158 in 2006 and a double century four years later.
That said, things may depend on how they deal with a fired-up Nathan Lyon, on the most spin-friendly pitch in Australia, and on a ground he once helped curate. Not forgetting the return of a certain Pat Cummins.
State Icon - Sir Donald Bradman
All states love their local players but few adorn them like is the case at the Adelaide Oval with Jason Gillespie, Darren Lehmann and even Greg Blewett having statues around the ground. Travis Head will surely be the next to get this honour.
The state's contribution to Australian cricket is also shown with entrance gates named after leg-spinning pioneer Clarrie Grimmett and Victor Richardson, whose grandsons Ian and Greg are also honoured by the Chappell Stand.
That said, although The Don was the "Boy from the Bowral" in New South Wales, where he started his state cricket, he is most synonymous with Adelaide where he moved in 1935 and made his home there until his death in 2001.
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Michael Clarke leads his team onto the field in front of the Sir Donald Bradman Pavilion in the 2013 Ashes Test against England
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It is difficult to say more about The Don than is already widely known. Diego Maradona might be the only sports star to leave a greater imprint on their country. Ned Kelly is the only Australian to have had more biographies written about him.
Streets, stands and grounds around the country bear his name. He was the first living Australian to be featured on a postage stamp, has been immortalised in song and the national broadcaster, ABC, has as its Post Office number 9994 in tribute to his amazing Test average, which is more than 50% higher than any player managed before or since.
Famous moment - Junior Makes His Mark
The most controversial moment came in the Bodyline series in January 1933 when Bill Woodfall, after being hit in the heart, famously said: "There are two sides out there. One is trying to play cricket, the other is not."
But it was also the place where a modern great played one of the best debut knocks ever.
Few parents can have had mixed feelings when hearing their son would receive the Baggy Green as the Waughs did.
Steve Waugh visited the family home and said "I’ve been dropped."
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Mark Waugh in batting action against Adelaide in the 1991 Ashes Test
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"Who’s taken your place?"
"He has." Pointing at his twin brother, Mark.
"Junior" had more than earned his chance at the age of 25 and with 25 first-class centuries to his name, but England would have felt confident with a debutant at the crease at 104/4 only for a composed 138 to take Australia to a dominant position.
His elegant flaying of Phil Tuffnell and Devon Malcolm in particular, with his ability to effortlessly clip anything full through mid-wicket and play the latter’s pace late either side of point, showed the world an incredible talent who would rival Brian Lara as the best player to watch over the next decade.
Never one to be accused of modesty, when congratulated on returning to the dressing room he said: "I should have been picked two years ago."
His rise also led to a famous interaction between two former Ashes captains in the Channel Nine commentators box the following year:
Tony Greig: "I think Steve Waugh is the best all-rounder in the southern hemisphere".Â
Ian Chappell: "Gee, Tony. He's not even the best all-rounder in his own family."
Record at Adelaide Oval
Tests: 82
Australia wins 45
Draws: 19
Defeats: 18
Ashes Head-to-Head Record
Australia: 19
England: 9
Draws: 5
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Watch and stream every ball of the Ashes series in Australia live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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