Curators scoff at conspiracy theories surrounding drop-in Adelaide pitch for second Ashes Test

Master curators Damian Hough and Les Burdett have backed in an Adelaide Oval drop-in strip attracting wild labels and conspiracy theories ahead of the second Test.

According to News.com.au, England fears Adelaide's new centre square, laid in September will produce a strip on steroids in a bid to assist Australian tearaway Mitchell Johnson and negate England off-spinner Graeme Swann.

By contrast, Tasmanian and former Test paceman Ben Hilfenhaus's side strain has been attributed to bowling on Adelaide's 'back breaker' in the Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia last week, the report said.

Hough says his deck will offer early spice; prime batting for the duration and reverse swing late in the game but two spinners will be overkill, the report added.

Adelaide Oval consultant Burdett also confirmed the pitches used in the two Shield games were part of an experimentation process to produce a premium Test strip, the report further said.

However, South Australian chief executive Keith Bradshaw believes the first drop in strip at redeveloped Adelaide Oval will behave very much like the traditional predecessor, composed of the same Athelstone clay, according to the report.