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The prospect of day/night cricket is upon us, with chatter of a proposed first Test between Australia and New Zealand in the not-too-distant future. The idea leaves me a little cold.
I have complained loudly when play has been called off for bad light.
“Get with the times and turn the bloody lights on,” I would mutter from my couch as the two umpires conferred over the readings from their little gadget and decided to ruin my afternoon.
But now it is a reality I just can’t warm to it.
Sure, it has its perceived advantages. Three of the five days traditionally fall on working days, so a day/night Test gives us the chance to see more of the match either live or on the box – although this would stretch marital relations, as I am sure this would conflict with the latest ‘must see’ drama.
It would also provide the added bonus of not affecting one’s professional career, as time would not be spent sitting at your workplace staring at cricinfo, awaiting the latest score update, rather than the excel or word document one should be analysing.
But what about attending the match live? As a father with a young family, I am not sure this is workable.
It is great to have the kids out during the day at the cricket, but at night as well, let alone over five days and on school nights?
I asked Roar Expert Brett McKay over twitter for his thoughts on the matter. He wasn’t opposed to the idea, but held major reservations regarding the pink ball.
On the Cheap Seats Podcast, which Brett co-hosts with Ryan O’Connell, Brett’s expanded on those concerns, saying he found it incredibly difficult to pick up the pink ball while watching on TV.
Bit of a problem given broadcasting is the major reason behind the initiative. Ryan mentioned that the NHL in the USA introduced some sort of shading technology, which allows the puck to be seen for viewers, so perhaps not an insurmountable problem.
But what about the batsmen and fielders? Can they pick it up?
Brett followed up with a comment made by Dean Jones that he has faced all sorts of coloured balls under lights and he was adamant that none were as easy to pick up as the white ball. Brett suggested perhaps the teams could wear darkened pads, making the white ball the best way forward.
Night Test cricket with a pink ball no one can see, or with a white ball and coloured pads? I don’t like the sound of any of that.
It is going to happen, and I will undoubtedly fall into line and enjoy it, because it is still Test cricket. Who knows, it may turn out to be the best thing since sliced bread.
What do you think Roarers? Do I need to follow my own advice and get with the times, or do you perhaps share my concerns?
Also, just quickly, if you have not seen Trent Boult’s boundary catch from the recently completed second T20 match between the West Indies and New Zealand, look it up and let me know if you have ever seen one.
I haven’t. A must see!
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