EDGBASTON: The historic first day and night Test being played here at Edgbaston from today against the West Indies is another landmark in the English cricket history. Limited-over games and Big Bash are now a common feature but not the Tests and that is what makes this such an important occasion.

In 137 years since the first time a Test was played in England in 1880 at The Oval and the first Ashes Test in 1884 at Old Trafford this day-night Test is a kind of a preamble for England, who are scheduled to play in Australia during the Ashes series starting this November.

A unique occasion the Test with a late start in the afternoon and with a pink ball has no doubt attracted the turnstiles at Edgbaston as ticket sale is brisk for at least first three days play.

This would be the fifth such match in floodlight. Australia has already featured in three of the four already played against New Zealand, South Africa at the Adelaide Oval winning both by three and seven wickets respectively in 2015 and the following year.

And against Pakistan last year at The Gabba which they won by 39 runs.

Pakistan are not behind them having played two already, one against Australia and the other against the West Indies at Dubai in 2016 which Misbah-ul Haq’s men won by 56 runs in a tight finish.

Sighting the pink ball has had various opinions at different centers and in varying conditions. Pink ball cricket and floodlit games have been common on English soil in limited- over games but in Tests players may have their own thoughts to bring in to the notice of the ECB and ICC whether a game of long duration such as a Test is practical in a country where interruptions due to weather conditions and bad light has a part to play.

Floodlit cricket was made popular by Kerry Packer during late 1970s during his World Series Cricket and since has attracted crowd’s attention all over the cricket playing country.

The first official floodlit ODI was played between Australia and the West Indies in 1979 in Australia and since day-night cricket has become a money spinning business, especially the T20 format.

When Australia staged its first floodlit Test at The Adelaide Oval in 2015 against New Zealand 123,000 people turned up to see their country win the match within three days.

No such luck for Pakistan game at Dubai last year where the first day match drew a sizeable crowd but the rest four days the venue presented a haunted look as Pakistan won.

Knowing the strength of the present day West Indians I shall not be surprised to see though this historic Test finish within four days.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2017