SYDNEY, Dec 28: Australia will almost certainly make history next summer by hosting cricket’s first day/night Test match.
Australia and Pakistan will become first teams to clash in a Test match under lights. Cricket Australia chose the Adelaide Oval match next November and will seek ICC approval.
Cricket Australia proposed Test start about 2.00pm, following usual times lot of regular one-day internationals played under lights. Broadcaster Channel Nine also thrown its support behind new concept. The match will be staged in one of last weeks of 2009 TV ratings year.
CA chief executive James Sutherland told The Sunday Telegraph the move was inevitable, adding: “Test cricket is our premium form of the game so why [not] play it at a time when most people can watch it?
“There’s no doubt it will happen — people can go after work and it’s a cooler time of day for spectators and fans. Look at the Olympics, NRL, AFL and how much of it is played at night these days because it’s a more convenient time for viewers and fans.”
A suitable ball is a sticking point, but CA is committed to solving the issue by November.
“White ball for one-day cricket that lasts 50 overs is not suitable,” Sutherland said.
Like one-day game and Twenty20 cricket, a night Test is sure to spark debate among traditionalists. But November Test will take place in peak ratings time and David Gyngell, chief executive of Nine Network (which holds broadcast rights), believes it would be an immediate hit.
He said: “There was a lot of debate about one-day cricket, there was lot of debate about Twenty20 cricket, but ultimately paying public and viewing public [will] make their own decisions . . . punters always win.
“I think Adelaide would support it wholeheartedly and I know viewers will. When Perth Test matches are on and it goes late into eastern states, you see support in the [viewer] numbers.”
Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket revolutionised the sport in late 1970s. Gyngell said Channel Nine was excited about CA’s latest bold step. “Test cricket at night would have same sort of buzz. I think Sutherland and Cricket Australia are the best to evolve this.”—Agencies