Venues / Ed Hawkins / 21 November 2010 /

This is the ground where England had Australia on the ropes last time round but let them off the hook. It's also the ground where the spinners should enjoy theselves the most.

Adelaide

The city of churches. And so often England have turned up needing a miracle. Last time one actually happened, although it was in favour of Australia, who produced a sensational victory.

Adelaide is a beautiful city and in stark contrast to the bustle of Brisbane. It is Australia 40 years ago, with pinking trams, lush parkland and the majority of locals living outside of the city centre. Watch out for the Redback spiders, though.

Australia have had the odd nasty shock on the field themselves. The 556 they made against India there in 2003 remains the second highest first-innings total to lose in Test history. England's 551 three years later is third.

2003 was the last time Australia lost there. England, who have tasted success eight times, last won in 1995.

The ground

The Adelaide Oval is one of the most picturesque grounds in the world. It's clay-coloured stands, grass verges and the cathedral spire in the background make it almost a home from home for English supporters.

It is situated in parkland on the banks of the River Torrens, a short walk from the Skycity casino, which often offers free sausages to cricket fans on their way back into the city after play.

A genuine oval, straight sixes are at a premium. The trade off is that batsmen can often misjudge the length of the boundaries on the legside, often not quite putting enough on a pull or hook shot and getting caught in the deep. Think Ricky Ponting in 2006 and Ashley Giles' costly fumble.

The wicket

A good batting wicket, that is for sure. The average first-innings score in the last 10 Tests is 416. Even the West Indies, whipping boys of late, have passed 400 on their last two visits.

Despite the good nature of the wicket, this is a result surface. There have been only two draws in the last 10. Interestingly there is a toss bias, with six sides winning having fielded first. The pitch may not crumble but there appears to be a trend for teams doing just that under pressure.

There have been 13 five-wicket hauls in the last 10 years and seven of them have gone to spinners which suggests that this is the first venue where the battle between Nathan Hauritz and Graeme Swann will count.

Highest total 674 Australia v India 1948

Highest 4th innings chase 315-6 Australia v England 1902
Most runs 1,433 R Ponting
Most wickets 56 S Warne
Most runs last five years 525 R Ponting, 505 M Clarke
Most wickets last five years 30 S Warne
Australian batting averages at ground
Katich 46
Watson 72
Ponting 59.7
Clarke 102.4
Hussey 95.4
North 9
Haddin 245

Last meeting

England had Australia on the rack in this game. Having reduced Australia to 65-3 with a massive 551-6d on the board - Paul Collingwood made a double century and Kevin Pietersen 158 - they were looking good for victory.

Ricky Ponting steadied the ship somewhat but on 35 he made an error. His misjudged a hook and the ball was sailing straight down the throat of Ashely Giles at square leg. He dropped it. Had he held on, this extraordinary Test may well have only been notable for England levelling the series.

As it was they collapsed in a dreadful panic on the last day, from 69-1 to 129 all out. Australia needed 168 off 216 balls; they got it with 19 balls to spare. A nadir for England. One of Australia's greatest sporting triumphs.

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