Next up? Playing Test cricket under lights
Roar Pro By Alec Swann, 17 Dec 2009 Alec Swann is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Cricket, International Cricket, Michael Clarke
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England's James Anderson celebrates with teammates as Australia's Michael Clarke leaves the field after being caught by Alastair Cook. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
The MCC’s decision to stage their traditional curtain-raiser to the English domestic season in Abu Dhabi could have far-reaching consequences for the game.
The clash between the reigning county champions and an MCC XI, usually reserved for Lord’s in early April, has been shifted to the middle east for reasons that are purely experimental.
Day-night games haveben touted in some quarters as the future of Test cricket and everyone will soon find out whether the concept is viable.
Whether you think Test cricket actually needs to be re-invigorated, and it’s easy to see both sides of the argument, it seems inevitable that the inaugural day-night Test match is coming – like it or not.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, after all it has to be worth a try, but if it is going to be done then it has to be done properly.
Jumping in feet first could work, but if it doesn’t then the game, which is hardly known for efficient administration, could do itself plenty of damage.
And that is why the MCC’s initiative should be applauded.
This is a traditionalist speaking, but there is little wrong with Test cricket as a game in itself.
Those who condemn it as boring are missing the point by some distance, just as those who laud the 20-over game as excitement reincarnated are.
Test cricket over the past 12 months has thrown up a number of excellent contests that have showcased the merits of the five-day game, but if its longevity depends on the use of floodlights then so be it.
One of the main arguments for 2020 cricket was that it could be watched by more people, hence its subsequent popularity. Day-night Test would fit nicely into this bracket.
Also, the originality of such a concept would produce, certainly in the short-term, a novelty for both spectators and the TV companies who would be needed to provide coverage and that is certainly worth a go.
But there is a drawback, apart from the dew that exists in certain parts of the world anyway, and that is the ball.
Durham and the MCC will use a pink ball in March and this seems to have pole position in being accepted as the way forward.
Having played with a pink ball in a national club competition, I can vouch for its visibility both at the crease and in the outfield, but that only for 20 overs.
The same could be said for orange and yellow balls which have had their go, but these have been disregarded. I watched a dyas play in the Sheffield Shield in 1998 between NSW and WA and you could hardly see the yellow ball from the stands.
And this is where any potential future for day-night Test cricket lies.
If the pink ball proves to be a success – it was scheduled to be tested over four days when Durham met Worcestershire in the final round of the County Championship last season but both sides refused – then there will be no stopping the clamour for the concept at the highest level.
The idea of a Test match under lights would have been seen as madness just a few years ago, but it’s a lot closer then you would think.
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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Explore:
- Cricket, International Cricket, Michael Clarke
December 17th 2009 @ 12:19pm
Brett McKay said | December 17th 2009 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
Alec, I recall reading an article recently where Kookaburra have made another breakthrough on the ball front, in conjunction with the CSIRO over here. If I recall correctly, the breakthrough means that a white ball could well get through a days play, which would also negate the need to change balls after 34 overs in a one-dayer.
I’ll have to try and find the article…
December 17th 2009 @ 2:57pm
Brett McKay said | December 17th 2009 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
Alec, found the story. Featured in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald in late November. Kookaburra have been trialling a new finish on the white ball, and in testing at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane, they’ve been lasting 80 overs…
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/ball-breakthrough-boosts-night-tests-20091128-jy1d.html
December 17th 2009 @ 3:53pm
Justin said | December 17th 2009 @ 3:53pm | Report comment
I was listening to ABC this morning and apparently the ratings for Perth tests are 30% better than any other in AUS. Thats all because much of the test is played when people are home from work. The broadcasters will begin to push hard on this. As someone said do you play the finals of a football code on a Thursday afternoon? No way you want it prime time.
On the ball front it may be that the ball is not perfect but from what I have heard it will favour the bowler a little more than currently. And with the pathetic pitches that are being produced more and more that aint no bad thing!
December 17th 2009 @ 7:38pm
Brett McKay said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:38pm | Report comment
Justin, I’d be well happy if all Test cricket was played in Perth, for the very reason the ratings are up. Nothing better than being able to watch the best part of half a day after getting home..
December 17th 2009 @ 7:40pm
Justin said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
And when Perth finishes just flick to Fox and watch SA v ENG.
Got to love the cameramen in SA, no PC brigade there me thinks
December 17th 2009 @ 4:17pm
Crazy Dave said | December 17th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
NO!!!!! Get Lost!!! Back Off!!!! Leave Test Cricket as it is!!!!! Do what you like to T20 and to ODI cricket…. but the original form of the International Game, Test Cricket over 5 days (NOT 5 days and nights) is the most pure form of the game… Muck about it with it at your peril…. I say leave it alone… It ain’t broke so don’t fix it…. this is just a money grab, trying to get people to attend the third session of the days play after work….. This has nothing to do with making the game more spectacular, and therefore will fall flat on its face…
December 17th 2009 @ 7:14pm
Justin said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:14pm | Report comment
CD – In an ideal world I would agree with you but the only two countries that have decent Test crowds are England and AUS. Indians dont care for it and neither do most other countries at the moment.
December 17th 2009 @ 7:52pm
sheek said | December 17th 2009 @ 7:52pm | Report comment
Playing day-night tests is a no-brainer. The WSC supertests of 1978/79 were day-nighters.
You know tests in Australia in the old days – pre-WW2, were “limitless”. I don’t know when they fixed them at 5 days, but check the old, old series, they were almost always played to conclusion.
Compare that with tests in England, which were 3 day tests, but more playing hours per day. Also, more draws, usually due the weather.
Point is, the concept of 5 days x 6 hours tests hasn’t been fixed for as long as some of us might think.
Something for the so-called tradtionalists to mull over……….