Cricket Australia wants India to feature in D/N Tests
The Indian cricket team is yet to feature in a day-night Test match. Prior to the ongoing Test series against Australia, there were shouts of India agreeing to play the same, but the BCCI declined the move. And now Cricket Australia is once again trying to persuade India in playing a day-night Test the next time they tour here. Here's more.
Cricket Australia is backing D/N Tests
Cricket Australia was worried about the crowd turning up on the first day of the ongoing Test in Adelaide. As per reports, the number of people who entered the stadium on Thursday were 24,000. This seems way below the regular crowd that turned up for a D/N Test in Adelaide over the past three years. The numbers read 47,000, 32,000 and 55,000.
What is Cricket Australia looking for?
CA chief executive Kevin Roberts feels that if this Test was a day-night affair, then one would see more number of fans. He said to SEN radio, "We think we would've had 15,000 or so interstate visitors if it was a day-night Test so there's no doubting we've lost that group of fans." He added that the fans are in favor of day-night cricket.
Roberts urges India to agree upon D/N Tests
Roberts wants India to see the sentiment of fans and play a day-night Test here in their next tour in 2020/21. "Let's hope so. Part of that fabric of cricket both nationally and internationally is so rich so we embrace the fact that they've had a different view about this Test match," he said. He believes day-night matches can help Test cricket.
Why is the BCCI against D/N Test?
Citing that the ICC has not included the pink-ball Test in the upcoming Test Championship post the 2019 World Cup, therefore, the BCCI went on to change its stance. The BCCI had also ruled out the possibility of hosting a D/N Test against West Indies in October. BCCI wanted normal day Tests like before rather than experimenting with the pink ball in Adelaide.
Kohli had cited lack of preparation regarding D/N Test
Earlier in April 2018, it was reported that Indian captain Virat Kohli was unsure about playing a D/N Test. "Initially, even Kohli wasn't sure about the long-term impact of playing day-night Test without having a proper trial of it. But now, both Kohli and Shastri are in agreement that India should not rush into day-night Test just as yet," a BCCI official had said.
India, Bangladesh yet to feature in Day/Night Test
Australia and New Zealand played the first ever D/N Test in Adelaide on November 27, 2015. Since then all ICC Full Member nations have played D/N Tests barring India and Bangladesh. A total of 8 D/N Test matches have been held till now. Australia have featured in four day-night Tests since 2015. In Adelaide they have played three matches and have a 100% record.
