Published: May 23, 2016, 09:22 PM (IST)
Edited: May 24, 2016, 10:46 AM (IST)
Melbourne: Australian skipper Steven Smith has expressed his concern over the way pink ball would behave during the upcoming day-night Test against Pakistan in Brisbane, where the conditions are expected to be humid. Cricket Australia are planning to schedule two twilight matches later this year against South Africa and Pakistan, but the Proteas’ reluctance to play day-night Test has left the match in doubt Reflecting on the Gabba match against Pakistan, Smith observed that the faster pitch and subtropical conditions could pose a major challenge for both the teams, especially when pink ball lacks swing and seam. READ: Steven Smith expects South Africa, West Indies to fear Mitchell Starc
“I think it’s just a little bit different with the ball and the humidity that is quite often around in Brisbane. [It] Could be very difficult for the batters, particularly if there is to be grass left on the wicket so I guess there is only one way to see how it’s going to go and we have an opportunity to do that against Pakistan this year,” Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. The inaugural day-night Test took place between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval, which went on to pull record number of crowds and huge television viewership. READ: Steven Smith says he is ready to play day-night Tests; dismisses claims of Australia not being keen
Smith also preferred Adelaide as an ideal venue for the twilight match, but added that there is still a room for improvement in the pink ball. “I personally believe that’s the best place to play a day-night Test match. We’ve got one game at the Gabba this year so it will be interesting to see how that goes. I still think we need plenty of development with the ball,” he added.
Referring to a move towards multiple day-night matches, the 26-year-old appraised the efforts made by the Cricket Australia to keep the longest-format of the game alive. According to the initial schedule, the third Test of the three-match series between Australia and South Africa in Adelaide is intended to be a pink ball game in contrast to the series-opener against Pakistan in Brisbane in December.
