April 10, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 3, 1429

MELBOURNE, April 9: Australian cricketers have been offered a 50 percent increase in match fees if they agree to play day and night Tests.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said on Tuesday that players could expect handsome financial benefits if Tests could be staged under lights, a concept that is heavily dependent on the development of a ball that can not only be seen by the batsmen but also withstand 80 overs.

Cricket Australia is instigating scientific research to find an appropriate ball and to determine which venues could host Tests at night, but in the meantime Sutherland said he was encouraged by the result in a survey conducted by the Australian Cricketers’ Association, in which 32 per cent of contracted players supported day-night Test matches “subject to authorities finding a suitable ball and addressing any issues with dew etc.”

While a clear majority of players are still opposed to playing Test cricket under lights, Sutherland said the response was “a clear indication to me that this has legs”.

“Imagine if the question had asked whether players would support day-night Tests if it meant a 50 per cent increase in match fees,” Sutherland said.

This would be the flow-on benefit to the players if half of each day’s play was held in prime viewing time, reports The Herald . “The TV networks we have talked to about this, here and on the other side of the world, are very excited about it. Australia is in a bad time zone for selling TV rights and if Test matches started a little bit later it would have an incredible impact,” Sutherland claimed.—Agencies