They have a concept, they have a venue, now they just need to find the ball.
Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket on Monday announced they had progressed plans to stage the first ever day-night Test match in either Hobart or Adelaide in November 2015.
The discussions come after the ICC paved the way for member countries to work together on staging Test cricket under lights.
The pink ball remains an issue, however, with Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland saying they would continue to test different brands in Sheffield Shield cricket this year before giving the historic Test the green light.
“We used Kookaburra pink balls in our Shield trial last year. We are continuing to trial other balls – Dukes balls have been used in other parts of the world,” Sutherland said.
“We obviously have the intent of getting the ball as close as possible to in terms of how they behave to the red ball.”
Sutherland admitted the strong push for day-night Test cricket had stemmed from TV ratings for Perth Test matches.
He said figures showed the later timezone bumped up nationwide audiences by 40 per cent – and they’re aiming to have the proposed Test finish at about 9.30pm (AEST) each day.
“We believe that’s evidence of itself that we’ll get greater viewership and more opportunities for people to attend,” he said.
He said the “ultimate aim” of Cricket Australia was to make Test cricket more popular.
“The last thing we want to do is see Test cricket wither on the vine,” he said.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White added they weren’t worried about “messing with the traditions of Test cricket”.
“Since Test cricket was played in 1876 there have been significant changes,” White said.
“Covered pitches, over limits, fielding restrictions, introduction of helmets, changing of the no-ball law.
“As administrators we must keep evolving.”
Day-night match testing will take place in round two of the Sheffield Shield in 2014.
Sutherland said the Gabba would need to improve their lighting before Brisbane could be considered as a location for day-night Tests, while Perth’s timezone has ruled it out of being a possible location in the future.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Unless my memory is completely gone -- and that is a distinct possibility -- the officials were using orange and pink balls in trials over 30 years ago. I know that cricket administrators sometimes work slowly, but this is ridiculous! Lash out $100,000 on a researcher and some equipment for a couple of years, find the optimal ball colour and go for day/night if that's what you want to do. Otherwise we'll still be discussing it in 2044. By then, you could even breed red grass and use a white ball all the time.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Nah, the Day Night tests are just too boring - why would they want to waste a lot of electricity during summer? That is unfair in Melbourne, Sydney, and Hobart.
twodogs
Guest
Dark sky I would imagine axle. As good as lights are they are still well short of natural light. Red is a bugger of a colour especially where there is darkness - nite sky.
Bakkies
Guest
Yes they have tried the red ball. Do you know that one day cricket was originally played in whites and with a red ball. They had to change to coloured clothing and a white ball when it went to day/night cricket.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Nah, still don't like the idea.
Cantab
Guest
Yeah great call by BMac.
Cantab
Guest
It really is that simple...
AlanKC
Guest
Good to see McCullum's declaration rewarded with a win over night! Could be a good series against the Kiwi's next time around.
Axle an the guru
Guest
But that dont tell me what the problem is with the red ball will be Bakkies,with the best possible lighting the world has to offer. We know players have the odd problem with looseing the white ball in the lights. No ball will be perfect IMO but if the red ball dont cause anymore problems than the other colors, then why change it? Everyone thinks the red ball is no good has anyone even tried it? There may not be much of a problem at all. Brisbane is easy problem to fix,just dont give them a D/N test.
Bakkies
Guest
The other aim is to open up the opportunity for people to go to the cricket after work which d/n ODIs allow.
JGK
Roar Guru
They may want to watch on TV but they won't go to the games.
Bakkies
Guest
The problem is that Queensland doesn't have daylight saving so come 6pm it is dark. They are talking 9:30 finishes and even in the states that have daylight saving there isn't enough daylight between 7:30 and 9:30 to be using a red ball even with the lights.
Axle an the guru
Guest
If the venue concerned has the absolutely best possible lighting available the the ground would be like its daylight anyway,so why not use the red ball. I understand shadows will be bit of a factor,but why not try the red ball and find out how much of a factor shadows an what not are?
Bakkies
Guest
This is Sutherland he often doesn't do logic. Did the BCCI wiggle their way out of playing 5? England are playing 5 against them starting on July 9th.
Bakkies
Guest
The Perth tests suggests that the tv audience does as they can watch the Cricket after work and at the time of the year when school and work is winding down. Tests in England regularly go past 6pm and they have better daylight hours in Summer then Australia. Unfortunately Australia in the daylight savings states doesn't so you have to rely on lights and the right colour ball to go past 8pm when the sun has pretty much set.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I think the whole "taking a test away from perth" needs more looking into. Obviously it wasn't thought about properly and while with 4 tests its pretty hard and Perth isnt better than any of the grounds already listed, surely playing India taking them to the fastest and bounciest pitch we have would be a good thing?
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
But does anyone really want to watch a test match at night? Ah, I think I am to much of a traditionalist.
twodogs
Guest
Use the white ball. Change the uniforms.
Bakkies
Guest
Crowds and tv audiences are reduced due to work hours.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
What's wrong with day matches?