Warnie loved it, Channel Nine loved it, and with 123,736 spectators turning up to watch the pink ball perform live, Cricket Australia’s coffers certainly loved the day-night Test. But what did those 120,000-plus people themselves make of Adelaide’s historic match?
Well, according to research conducted by Futures Sport + Entertainment on behalf of Cricket Australia, they loved it too.
In fact a whopping 81 per cent of the people interviewed on the first two days said all Tests in Adelaide should now be played in the day-night format.
While half those asked said they had come along – at least in part – for the novelty of being there to see the traditional format of the game played in a new way for the first time, two-thirds said that in future they would be more inclined to attend a day-night match than a traditional daytime Test.
So the format itself got the thumbs up, but what about the pink ball, which was under so much scrutiny leading into the match?
No ball was needed to be replaced due to it breaking up ahead of time, so that’s got to be a plus – particularly given the hassles the red Kookaburra was serving up in previous Tests.
But in terms of the pink ball’s visibility from the stands, two-thirds of those asked said they found it easier to see than the red ball, while another 25 per cent said that they found it just as easy to see as the traditional cherry.
Unsurprisingly, there are already plans underway to have more Tests under lights.
“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,” said CA CEO James Sutherland.
“The experience in Adelaide last weekend demonstrates the huge potential the day-night format has in revitalising Test cricket all over the world. I would strongly encourage other Test-playing countries to enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to host their own day-night Test matches.
“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.”
With these numbers having been secured by a company working for CA, perhaps they should be taken with a grain of salt. But while the numbers may not be a totally accurate reflection – getting over 80 per cent of people to agree on just about anything is nigh on impossible – the reaction toward the pink ball and the day-night Test as a concept here on The Roar has been overwhelmingly positive.
So what do you say Roarers? Was the day-night Test a success, and are you happy to see more of the pink ball under lights? Or have you kept your counsel until all the facts were available, and with the match wrapped up in three days you’re now ready to let loose?
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