Published: Nov 30, 2015, 11:48 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 30, 2015, 11:49 AM (IST)
Dubai: ICC Chief Executive David Richardson today hailed the successful debut of day/night Test cricket and expressed hope that more Boards will embrace the concept which can greatly enhance the traditional format of the game. Australia defeated New Zealand by three wickets in the first ever day-night by three wickets yesterday at Adelaide. “The inaugural day/night Test in Adelaide was a huge success, enjoyed by cricket followers across the world. I would like to congratulate both the Australia and New Zealand teams on a thrilling game of cricket. It was an exciting game, played in exemplary spirit, and in front of record crowds – a great advert for Test cricket,” Richardson said in an ICC release. ALSO READ: More day-night Tests being planned for Pakistan and South Africa tour of Australia
“I have every confidence that day/night Tests will continue to be embraced by more Boards in the near future to, in time, become a regular feature of Test match scheduling. Although day/night Tests will not be feasible at every venue, it certainly provides a new dimension for players, spectators, broadcasters and fans alike and it is here to stay. We need to make sure we take all the learnings we can from this first match, identify what has worked well and what needs improving, and make sure that future day/night Tests are as good, if not better,” Richardson said.
Rival skippers Steve Smith and Brendon McCullum were in unison about the success of the initiative. “The whole Test match was a great innovation, it was a great spectacle, and to get 120,000 people through the gates in three days is absolutely amazing,” said Australia’s Smith. McCullum enthused: “It’s a great concept. Overall, it’s a roaring success — 120,000 people turning up over three days. People are voting with their feet. I think it’s here to stay, which is great.” ALSO READ: Steven Smith, Brendon McCullum praise success of day-night Test cricket
The glowing praise appeared to justify Cricket Australia’s bold initiative and is emboldening them to flag the prospect of two more day-night Tests when South Africa and Pakistan tour next year. The national body see day-night cricket along with the luminous pink-ball as the panacea to arrest dwindling interest in the traditional five-day format.
Based on the initial evidence, day-night Tests look set to become part of global cricket schedules for years to come.
