Cricket: Day-night tests backed

The prospect of day-night tests is unlikely in New Zealand for at least a couple of years, despite recommendations from some of the game's greats.

The Marylebone Cricket Club's Cricket Committee (MCCCC), comprising the likes of Martin Crowe, Barry Richards, Courtney Walsh and Steve Waugh, has decided playing tests at a later hour is the way forward where the longest form of the game struggles to attract a big live or television audience.

While the MCCCC wants immediate change, the International Cricket Council takes a more reserved approach. The MCCCC is a think-tank whereas the ICC wears the financial burden if the concept fails. It follows the ICC's conservative response to the same committee's proposal for a Test Open championship a year ago.

The day-night test initiative has returned to the international agenda, with news the proposed pink leather ball has gone through further scientific testing and will now last longer.

The evidence came via the traditional opening match of the English domestic season when the MCC played county champions Durham under lights in the far-from-traditional venue of Abu Dhabi.

In tandem with that, the white one-day ball has received a similar laboratory tick. It may be able to last the full 50 overs in future, rather getting its current mandatory change in the 34th, largely ruling out exponents of reverse swing.

"There has been favourable progress on both balls," Crowe says. "In fact, I like the pink almost better than the red. My suggestion was we drop the name 'pink' as it has a stigma and instead use a new colour name, like Marylebone, named after the MCC.

"Anyway, it's time to get test cricket spruced up at night with a new Test Open. But who will go first? I hope New Zealand puts its hand up. Hamilton is the ground to test it."

That seems wishful thinking. New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan says further testing of the pink ball is required at first-class level to check its day-night viability.

"Some fairly thorough research is still needed. The ball is fundamental to the whole process. The pink is getting more durable, according to a report I received in May, but debate lingers whether it is the right colour. There is now a resurgence from orange ball supporters.

"Orange was tested a while back. From a player and fan perspective, it was seen as the best colour but broadcasters had some issues because it created a slight comet tail on screen. However, production standards have apparently improved since then and it doesn't happen any more. Maybe it should be explored more.

"After deciding on the ball to use, we need a thorough pilot programme in first-class cricket so it'd be a minimum of two years away. We have reservations whether it would make a big difference to get fans to watch but we're not averse to experimenting.

"Obviously we'd also have to take into account environmental issues such as dew and the summer evening chill.

"However, I think a world championship would do more to boost test cricket than night matches and that won't happen before the next Future Tours Programme is in place after April 2012."

NZC has a boutique grounds policy for test cricket, with a view to enhancing the atmosphere rather than playing in half-empty, rugby-specific stadia. If day-night tests are sanctioned, it means Hamilton's Seddon Park and Napier's McLean Park would be ready with lights but no such installation is planned for Wellington's Basin Reserve.

There is talk Dunedin's Carisbrook lights might become available but plans have been mooted they could move to Blake Park in Mt Maunganui as it further develops itself for cricket.

From a broadcast perspective, it is understood television rights-holders Sky would welcome day-night tests.

The matches are likely to provide bigger audiences which would correlate with increased advertising and subscriber revenue.

The coverage could also be more appealing to markets such as India, England and South Africa with an improved time zone for viewers.