> Its time for day/night test cricket

Cricket Australia want to try day-night Test matches
SYDNEY (AFP) — Cricket Australia says the sport could attract a four-fold increase in television ratings by introducing day-night Test matches within the next decade.

CA chief executive James Sutherland confirmed Thursday reports that his organisation was preparing to defy 130 years of tradition by trialling day-night Tests.

The Australian newspaper reported that CA officials were examining the concept of scheduling games from 2pm-9pm or 3pm-10pm rather than the traditional 11am-6pm.

Cricket officials claim the move would allow more people to watch at grounds and on television.

Sutherland said CA wanted to trial a day-night Test, although he could not be more specific than saying at some stage over the next decade.

The news has met with widespread criticism from fans on talkback radio and newspaper blogging sites.

Sutherland said the reasoning behind CA's considerations was to make Test cricket contemporary and accessible, and forecast the move would cause a boom in television ratings.

"Perhaps we can do some of that analysis just by looking at our TV ratings for Test cricket versus the one-day matches and the second half of one-day matches, which are in the evening," he said.

"My anecdotal suggestions there would be audiences something like four times what they currently are for Test cricket."

Although Test cricket under lights would be a major break with the game's history, Sutherland said it was "incredibly important" to preserve the longer form's traditions.

However, he could not rule out players donning coloured clothing and using a white ball in a Test, although he was opposed to the idea of players wearing microphones like they do in Twenty20 matches played here.

Sutherland denied Test cricket needed rescuing amid the Twenty20 spectator boom, as the traditional longer form of the game was in fantastic shape.

It just needed to be taken to more people, he said.

"The concept we're throwing round is designed to ensure the game can reach the biggest possible audience," Sutherland said.

Day-night Test matches would also be better for viewers in other countries, especially on the subcontinent, and would allow more fans to attend matches, after work and on weekdays, he said.

Critics argue it is unfair to subject teams to an uneven playing field if they had to bat at night on dewy wickets against white balls that become dirty easily, while crowd problems could also be exacerbated given the longer drinking hours.

Sutherland said CA would seek feedback from its players, but was confident the International Cricket Council would support the concept given the boost day-night Tests could prompt in ratings and attendances.

Actually not a bad idea. I see a lot more people going out to see matches this way. Plus a bit of T20 atmosphere in such matches will do wonders.

lol..
good move... now bring on some power...

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Agnel's Signature:

i believe it wont be a good idea.

The condition wont be identical to both the teams always, it may be highly scewed in favour of either bowlers / batsmen depending upon location and conditions.

Secondly most importantly how the ball will behave. The white ball cant last full 50 overs of a ODI innings howcan it tolerate the torture of Stipulated 80 Overs. To make it more agile if the colour is changed then there can be sighting problems for the batsmen.

Australia have tried a lot with this format in their domestic cricket and the results are not encouraging.

So too india have once Ranji Trophy final was played in Gwalior a neutral venue and it was highly lustreless game scwed in favour of batsmen.

A lot thinking should go in before pulling the trigger.

What you need in test cricket is some way of forcing results. Too many matches are drawn. That is what drives people away.

^^ 100% true. repped

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Agnel's Signature:

I don't think this is a good move. Changing the balls will take out the very essence of test cricket. Test cricket is all about patience and utilising the available resources in the best possible way.

ODIs and 20-20's will always be there to generate the revenue, but they've gotto preserve the 'real cricket'.

So why not just use red balls in test cricket? Or orange? What is so difficult about dying the damn thing to a colour visible both in day and night? Then apply the usual rules after that.

Its not a Good Move

The problem is not just with the colour of the ball. the dew factor comes in to play, especially in subcontinent and becomes difficult for the bowlers once the ball gets wet, and wears much quicker than normal. In such cases umpires will have no option but to change the ball.

The other thing is the swing. In some places, especially when there is no due, the ball swings more in the night and hence it would make the life difficult for the batsmen.

Also there would be lot more drop catches in the outfields, especially catching the higher ones that is coming from the dark.