Australians flocked the Village Green on Friday, turning it into a carnival atmosphere.
Credit: DH Photo/Madhu Jawali
Adelaide: The usually quiet and deserted South Gate arena of the Adelaide Oval, overlooking the Torrens River on the War Memorial drive, is milling with people on a warm Friday afternoon. It's the first day of the weekend, coinciding with the opening day of the pink-ball Test.
So, the city's watering holes will have to wait till late night for their businesses to peak as every third person of an estimated 40,000-strong crowd seems headed towards the Green Village, set up on the sprawling lawns off the Western Stands of the stadium.
Temperatures have come down a bit on the match day with rain around the corner, but it's still sunny and muggy. So everyone is cooling down with a pint of Pimm's (a gin-based cocktail) but the lager is flowing too while the beer connoisseurs are enjoying the craft varieties. Those with a cup of a latte or a cappuccino in their hands are feeling out of place. It's a carnival atmosphere and literally every adult is in high spirits (pun intended).
This time, South Cricket Australian Association has expanded the Village Green zone with a new two-storey wine bar besides a new range of drinks and food.
The traditional Australian menu was also on the offer with cricket fans snacking on lobster rolls, paella and oysters while burgers, falafels and pizzas were flying off the racks as well.
There is a stall by Beyond India, a well-known Indian restaurant in Adelaide, offering a range of Indian cuisine.
Fans of all age groups and types -- young and old, men and women, boys and girls are having a whale of a time even as a local band plays on with few even pretending to be interested in it. There is a kids' zone for young children to indulge themselves.
It's an occasion for extended families to come together, former classmates to catch up, senior citizens to meet and recall the good old days. Over the years, the Village Green has become a part of the South Australian culture with cricket just being incidental.