Australia to schedule more day-night Tests

Cricket Australia said Tuesday they will schedule more day-night Test matches following the overwhelming success of the recent trial against New Zealand staged under lights in Adelaide.

A total attendance of 123,736 fans over three days at Adelaide Oval along with 3.19 million prime-time viewers watching free-to-air television coverage on Sunday's final day confirmed the strong acceptance of the day-night Test played with a pink ball, CA chief executive James Sutherland said.

“At Cricket Australia we are about putting fans first so we are delighted that so many have embraced the day-night Test concept,” he said.

“We are constantly striving to give cricket fans what they want and as such, with the endorsement of visiting countries, we will seek to schedule more day-night Tests.

“The experience in Adelaide last weekend demonstrates the huge potential the day-night format has in revitalising Test cricket all over the world."

Sutherland has spoken of plans to schedule day-night Tests when South Africa and Pakistan tour here late next year.

"I would strongly encourage other Test playing countries to enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to host their own day-night Test matches," he added.

"We believe that having the ability to move matches into the evening provides cricket fans with greater access to the game and there is no doubt that this will help grow interest in Test cricket."

Sutherland said an independent survey conducted with fans during the Adelaide Test reinforced acceptance of the day-night concept with 85 percent of those questioned at the ground supporting the idea.

Almost as many (81 percent) claimed that all Adelaide Tests should now be played under lights.
Source: AFP