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First day-night Test is truly a stab in the dark

Roar Rookie
20th November, 2015
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New Zealand quick Tim Southee. (AFP, Saeed Khan)
Roar Rookie
20th November, 2015
2

Two Tests down, three injured players and one retiree is the story of the series so far. Australia quite easily toppled the Black Caps in Brisbane, but we were left wondering what might have been after the greatest knock of the entire year by Ross Taylor.

However, a different story will unfold in a week’s time at the Adelaide Oval.

The Anzac rivals are the first competitive guinea pigs of the day-night Test since its inception. In a nutshell, every day will begin at the relatively late time of 2pm, with play to go on to about 10pm.

This new concept will be among others that have redefined the game we love today. This list includes Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, Max Cricket and T20 cricket.

Coincidentally, Australia and New Zealand were also the first international teams to play a game of T20 cricket, a format that perhaps revived the game. There was always that feeling of excitement ahead of this Test, perhaps it too can revolutionise world cricket much in the same way.

On the contrary, the idea of adapting the original form of the game will irate cricket purist fans all around the world. Test cricket so far has only been played with a red ball and in daylight; is the cricketing world ready for such a change?

In addition, many players have complained over the use of the pink ball. The first real test of the pink ball came in the Australian provincial competition, and was slammed by Australia and NSW captain Steve Smith, who claimed that he had trouble sighting the ball.

Regardless of your opinion on the Test, it will be a defining moment in the way we play cricket in the future. Amid criticism of the pink ball, the Blackc Caps are relishing the opportunity to play the very first day-night Test.

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Presumably, the later in the night play occurs the more wickets will be taken, something the bowlers will enjoy after struggling on the WACA pitch. The pink ball will have the power to deceive batsmen, so it is unlikely that we will see the full five days of the Test.

Nevertheless, expect the batsmen to come out firing, in particular Brendon McCullum, who will no doubt put on a show if the Australians permit him. I also expect a strong performance from David Warner and Steve Smith, the most consistent batsmen in the series along with Kane Williamson.

As the Test is under different circumstances than the previous two, both sides will have a clean slate heading into it. The day-night Test, both figuratively and literally, will be a stab in the dark.

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