World Series Cricket was the first to experiment with cricket being played at night. Their innovations from thirty years ago still impact international cricket today. The ICC's recent decision to allow day night test matches is one that is aimed at protecting the oldest form of the game. They should be commended for some forethought but also have to balance two sides of the coin. It may sound like a fabulous idea but there are a few issues that follow day night test cricket.
To begin with, the first and largest problem with the ICC's decision is to allow the home board to pick the ball. The problems that can occur with the different coloured cricket balls are varied as many of them have been tried and tested over the years and each has its own set of problems. The white balls are not durable enough, while the yellow balls may not be picked up on certain cricket grounds. The recent experiments with the pink balls have not been a great success either. In this case, teams can pick the colour of ball according to what suits them. Home advantage could make it a bit unfair as the balls might appear differently out of the dark and cause some problems for opposing batsmen that the home team may not have. This also does not take into account playing conditions.
By far the biggest problem with day night tests is the diversity of playing conditions that will be encountered. India has probably the largest variation in day/night temperatures and hence is horribly affected by the dew factor during their cricket season. The ball becomes difficult to grip for spinners and pacemen are not able to swing it. However, in places like Australia and South Africa where conditions do not really change, day night test cricket could be a fabulous new addition to make the cricket seem a little more attractive. It may even serve the purpose of bringing in larger crowds to watch test match cricket.
Nobody really knows whether day night tests will be well received as players themselves have started moaning and groaning about it. All experiments with first class cricket will have no meaning once it is played at an international level. The ICC have to be commended on their willingness to progress. Cricket will most likely be brought into the 21st century with this new innovation!
To begin with, the first and largest problem with the ICC's decision is to allow the home board to pick the ball. The problems that can occur with the different coloured cricket balls are varied as many of them have been tried and tested over the years and each has its own set of problems. The white balls are not durable enough, while the yellow balls may not be picked up on certain cricket grounds. The recent experiments with the pink balls have not been a great success either. In this case, teams can pick the colour of ball according to what suits them. Home advantage could make it a bit unfair as the balls might appear differently out of the dark and cause some problems for opposing batsmen that the home team may not have. This also does not take into account playing conditions.
By far the biggest problem with day night tests is the diversity of playing conditions that will be encountered. India has probably the largest variation in day/night temperatures and hence is horribly affected by the dew factor during their cricket season. The ball becomes difficult to grip for spinners and pacemen are not able to swing it. However, in places like Australia and South Africa where conditions do not really change, day night test cricket could be a fabulous new addition to make the cricket seem a little more attractive. It may even serve the purpose of bringing in larger crowds to watch test match cricket.
Nobody really knows whether day night tests will be well received as players themselves have started moaning and groaning about it. All experiments with first class cricket will have no meaning once it is played at an international level. The ICC have to be commended on their willingness to progress. Cricket will most likely be brought into the 21st century with this new innovation!
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