Broadcaster Sony has implored Indian cricket’s governing body to agree to a day-night Test in Australia next summer after star batsman Virat Kohli’s declaration his team is ready.
Cricket Australia boss Kevin Roberts met BCCI counterpart Sourav Ganguly this week in Mumbai, with a day-night Test high on the agenda.
The Aussies are desperate to play at least one pink-ball match in next summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy, after being denied the chance by India in 2018-19.
The scheduling of one might lead to a ratings bonanza for Sony which has the rights to broadcast Australian cricket in India.
Tests in Australia begin around 5:00am in India, with the time difference,meaning viewers must wake up early or miss the first session of play.
A day-night Test would allow telecasts to start locally about 8:30am, ensuring fans would be able to tune in all day with increased ratings.
“With India touring Australia, they should definitely look at one or two Tests because timing definitely makes a difference,” Sony’s head of sport Rajesh Kaul, told the Hindustan Times.
The Aussies have an unblemished record in day-night Tests, having won all seven they have played.
Adelaide would be the likely venue and, while CA wants more than one pink-ball Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, that at this stage appears unlikely.
“It’s certainly an advantage to us,” quick Josh Hazlewood told AAP ahead of this week’s one-day series in India.
“It’s not as good as it was three or four years ago as a bowler. The wicket is getting flatter a little bit.
“The ball has still got quite soft during the middle of the day. It’s quite dictated by that night session if you have the new ball at night.
“But I think it’s great for TV and for the crowd. It’s quite exciting; it’s a packed house with an atmosphere at night being pretty good.
“Adelaide is the perfect spot, he (curator) knows the wicket inside out and gets it right every time. I would love to play one.”
India played their first day-night Test late last year against Bangladesh, flogging the tourists amid concerns over visibility issues.
“We played the day-night Test here. We were pretty happy with how it went,” Kohli said.
“It’s become a very exciting feature of any Test series and we’re open to playing day-night Tests.
“We’re ready and up for the challenge … We have the skill sets as a team now to compete against anyone in the world, anywhere, in any format of the game.”
Meanwhile, it’s expected Roberts’ discussion this week would have also centred on a possible four-team one-day super series, which was floated in December by India.
New Zealand officials are present, while Roberts will also meet Bangladesh administrators later in the week, with Australia set to tour there in June.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Fair point. Although do we know what portion of total revenue comes from crowd attendance as opposed to TV rights? If it’s not that a big a proportion maybe winning matches could be equally important to domestic TV ratings and therefore long term revenue?
matth
Roar Guru
Yes but CA doesn’t want to play at the Gabba either, it’s now the oldest stadium, lowest crowds and therefore lowest revenue option of the main five states. Who cares that we always win there.
Paul
Roar Guru
Isn't the answer to the dilemma about whether Perth Adelaide or Brisbane host a game, to have a 5 Test series? Or is that too simple?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Do you think BCCI will agree to two? I have my doubts. India doesn't like the advantage (perceived or otherwise) that d/n gives to Australia. India will want plenty of warm up under lights before playing even one D/N Test and that will be difficult given the WCT20 which finishes not long before.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Timmuh. Perth’s expat and Indian-heritage population also draws a decent turnout for the Perth Test when v India. I suspect your analysis is right; d/n at Adelaide and day at Perth; both time zones being better than Brisbane for India broadcasting (assuming there is no chance of a second d/n Test so Brisbane could only be day). TBH, even at Perth Stadium with the shadows, you could have a 6.30pm scheduled finish if mid-late December. And the ultra-bright LED lighting would easily allow red ball cricket if required for the last 30 minutes.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
"It’s quite dictated by that night session if you have the new ball at night." We're stuck with them for commercial reasons, but pretty damning evidence that the ball still isn't up to the mark and day/night Tests should not be happening yet. I would expect Brisdbane to get the Afghanistan Test. Even without any Indian reluctance, the smaller capacity means the Gabba would get the lesser drawing team anyway (as well as CA being able to say it is due to Brisbane's "traditional" first Test slot). Perth's time zone means playing later, so doesn't need to be day/night for Indian audiences. Adelaide is where we're had most of them and the one outside holiday periods that coud do with from both local and Indian time. With the longer daylight hours in summer, is there any reason Melbourne and Sydney can't start (and finish) an hour later. Other than Seven's news commitments that is. It always used to be 11am starts for Tests, rather than 10:30 like it is is now. But that was before the extra half hour overtime practically every day. I still think if Hobart was getting Tests they could have an 11:30 or 12:00 red ball start with how late sunset is, if played close to Christmas (sumer solistice being only a few days before). But CA have locked in only the five Tests for a few more years, including years where six or seven could have worked; suggesting that's all they want. It is hard to see Hobart, Canberra or anywhere else outside the main five ever hosting a summer Test again.
Tanmoy Kar
Roar Rookie
Two D/N Tests may be played if that is a five Test match series.
Vikramsinh
Guest
India has already started playing day-nights in their domestic tournaments So. There might be some surprises
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
It’s curious that they should have a veto on home Test venues, something that was unheard of until very recently. No doubt there is a huge disparity in bargaining power between India and other boards at the moment, but it is not as if they have no leverage - after all, India needs other countries to play against. I really wonder whether CA is pushing hard enough to insist that it is the home team that should have the biggest say on venues.
JamesH
Roar Guru
If we assume they'll play in Melbourne and Sydney, that leaves only two of Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane to feature in the series. Agreeing to a D/N test in Adelaide would give them an easy 'out' re Brisbane. Dollar-wise, CA would prefer a test in Perth over Brisbane anyway. I'm tipping Adelaide (D/N), Perth, Melbourne & Sydney, which was exactly the same schedule as the last series if you ignore the D/N factor. Brisbane will get Afghanistan (if it goes ahead) to open the summer in November.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Now India have worked out day/night tests in Australia mean more dollars it should happen. The amusing part is that I think no amount of money would get India back to the Gabba
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Well that's it then. Broadcaster wants it. Money follows. We get a day-night test. The way of the cricket world nowadays. Now we just need a test at the GABBA...