Night Test cricket might be played in Australia as early as the Ashes summer of 2013-14 if a suitable ball can be developed in time.
An International Cricket Council (ICC) decision on Monday night cleared the way for day-night Test matches, provided the participating countries agree on the time of play and type of ball.
Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland welcomed the decision, saying night Test matches would allow more people to watch at the ground and on television.
“It’s probably only a matter of time before Test cricket is at least trialled at night,” Sutherland said.
“We’re very much in favour of it because we think it provides a great opportunity for fans to see more Test cricket.”
Sutherland said CA’s experience from Test matches in Perth, which are effectively day-night matches for television audiences in the eastern states, given the time difference, illustrated the point.
He said television ratings were about 40 per cent higher for those matches than Test matches played in earlier timeslots during non-holiday periods.
The big remaining stumbling block to night Test matches is developing a ball that is easily visible at night yet is as durable as the traditional red ball used for five-day games.
Sutherland said while it was impossible to predict when such a ball would be available, there were some promising signs.
“I don’t think that’s too far away at all,” he said.
“We’re very interested in working closely with various ball manufacturers.
“They know more about it than any of us.
“There’s been some really good positive progress and some good testing done in other parts of the world.”
A CA spokesman said while the schedule for this home season was already locked in, if a ball was developed in time, it was possible night Test cricket could be played the following summer, when England play five Tests in Australia.
With CA’s television rights deal expiring in March, that prospect could add to their bargaining power for the next contract, although CA refused to comment on that aspect given negotiations are underway.
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