Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has urged players to keep open minds to the prospect of day-night Ashes Tests, despite concerns from captains Steve Smith and Alastair Cook.
The day after confirming a second day-night Test for 2016-17 against South Africa, Sutherland reiterated his belief there’s a “natural progression” towards the introduction of the pink ball in the 2017/18 series against England.
Sutherland has predicted between zero and two Ashes Tests to be played under lights, but Smith and Cook have called for the series to remain a red-ball contest, arguing that the sport’s iconic showpiece series needs no extra hype.
Cook also joined the chorus of reservations about the quality and behaviour of the pink ball.
But CA is delighted with the pink ball, having been buoyed by the TV ratings and crowds who watched last year’s inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide.
“I think there’s a natural progression for us to get to a stage where Ashes Test matches are played as day-night games,” Sutherland said in Melbourne on Thursday.
“The players are clearly an important stakeholder and I respect the views of Steven and Alistair in saying that.
“The Ashes is a great contest, and (it) will no doubt attract huge audiences both at the ground and on television.
“But I think the facts of the matter are that by playing a day-night Test match you’re actually going to get bigger audiences at the game and on television.
“It even time-shifts games into a more appealing time of day in the UK; that’s another factor we need to consider.
“So from that perspective we all need to stay very open-minded to this, continue to progress and build everyone’s confidence in it.”
Meanwhile, the chief executive of the South African Cricketers’ Association insists money was not offered to talk the initially resistant Proteas around to agreeing to November’s day-night Test.
Cricket Australia put a prize pool of $1 million on the line for last year’s three-Test series against New Zealand as an incentive for the inaugural day-night fixture, and it was expected they might have to do likewise to get South Africa across the line.
But the player union’s boss Tony Irish said it was the increase in pink-ball Tests being played around the globe that encouraged South Africa to dip their toes in the water.
“There hasn’t been money offered by Cricket Australia and there was never money asked for by our players in that regard,” Irish told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
Peter
Roar Rookie
If we produce a few pitches that provide similar conditions to those in England then we'll have more of a chance of defeating them in their backyard.
Peter
Roar Rookie
They could if they had larger cricket grounds in England (and Wales).
Johnno
Guest
Iv'e wanted that too. Heck make it 8 so Darwin can get a gig-Top end.
Alex
Guest
So, To summarise Rhino, you are saying Tony Irish talks rubbish, yeah, you are probably right. I wonder when we will find out how much South Africa held out for.
craig swanson
Guest
Agree L5 t. I think a day/nite ashes test at say the SCG or Adelaide would be terrific. But one for the series only. Make it a novelty and see how the public responds.
craig swanson
Guest
Someone talking sense. Yes bring back a fair contest between bat and ball.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Make it a 7 test Ashes series... Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
english twizz
Guest
South Africa have there own boxing day test
english twizz
Guest
No need BT now for Australia ashes but I have the 7 sky sports, 2 euro sports and 4 bt sport channels
Bakkies
Guest
The opposition have to agree to it Lancey
Bakkies
Guest
When was the last time SA beat Australia at home?
The Bush
Roar Guru
That's what I try to tell my employer...
Lancey5times
Guest
Don't let anyone tell you that mid-morning drinking is only acceptable during your holidays
The Bush
Roar Guru
Definitely agree - all for one and one for all. As long as they keep Sydney and Melbourne during the day so I can start drinking at a respectable mid-morning time during my holidays, I'm happy for them to all be at night.
The Bush
Roar Guru
2005-06, which incidentally was three straight series victory in Australia by Australia against RSA. South Africa hadn't won a series in Australia post-apartheid until 2008-09. You've clearly been the best touring team to Australia's shores over the last decade (2 series wins), but due to consistent losses in RSA (you have not beaten us in a test series in RSA since apartheid) there hasn't been the sense of domination that we experienced when England won 2009, beat us at home in 2010-11 and then won again in 2013. The reality is that since 1990 we've only lost two test series to you guys, they just both happen to have been at home. In that time frame England as beaten us in 5 series, though only one in Australia. Now that it's all confirmed and the RSA players are happy - it's going to be a cracking series, pitting two of the top three test sides in the world against each other!
The Bush
Roar Guru
If you read it, you do realise that the administrators are taking the exact same approach and that the only "opposition" to Day/Night Ashes matches are the players, who, as I said, have always voiced concerns. So again, how is it any different? As for your question, I would be ecstatic if any other nation in the cricketing world demonstrated even the slightest interest in improving test cricket. The only country I can think of that has even attempted anything lately is England's present adoption of the combined points style thing so that the entire tour contains context, and even that is really more about giving context to the meaningless limited overs matches rather than the tests themselves. Is there an actual example from RSA that you can provide me with so I can gauge what it is like to have the shoe on the other foot?
Lancey5times
Guest
I think you're missing my point Nudge. I understand completely that an Ashes test has no issue drawing great numbers and doesn't need the Day/Night concept. My point is that if Day/Night tests are to become a regular and respected part of the cricket calendar they shouldn't just be played against teams considered an attendance struggle. Consider it like this, 'it's not to help the Ashes, it's to help the Day/Night concept'
Nudge
Guest
I think you guys are missing the point. Whether you like it or not, an ashes test is going to draw probably twice as many spectators then a test against just about any other nation. A test between Australia and England at Adelaide oval will draw around 120,000/150,000 no matter what time it's played. A test between Aus and RSA during the day might get 80,000 over 5 days. Day night will get 120,000 plus. Test cricket needs support by utilising day night test cricket. Ashes cricket needs no support whatsoever.
josh
Roar Rookie
Only if they have Sky.
Lancey5times
Guest
So you don't believe that excluding the Ashes from the Day/Night tests impacts on the credibility of Day/Night test matches? If the powers that be truly believe that this is the way to rejuvenate test cricket it needs to be applied to the format not cherry picked test matches/series. I'm not saying every test match but decisions shouldn't be made based on opposition. It may well be that Adelaide becomes a Day/Night venue so if a test is played there this is how.