His reasons are twofold: one, to protect the experimental pink balls from rapidly deteriorating and, two, to provide a more even contest between bat and ball.

Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon speak to Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough. Credit:Getty Images

"Leaving a bit of grass on it, we're hoping it will assist the quicks, and the ball will come onto the bat nicely," Hough told reporters on Wednesday.

"But having a bit of a coarse, thatchy grass should hopefully, going on the two games we have had so far and the pink ball (Sheffield) Shield matches, it should be able to bite into that grass and get some spin."

Hough's preparations for the historic Test were made more difficult by the oval hosting an AC/DC concert on Saturday night.