Australia and Pakistan are all set to make history by becoming the first cricket teams to play a night Test next November in Adelaide. According to a report in The Sunday Telegraph, Cricket Australia (CA) will soon seek the International Cricket Council’s approval for holding the match that will have a 1400 hrs (local time) start.

“Test cricket is our premium form of the game so why (not) play it at a time when most people can watch it? There’s no doubt it will happen — people can go after work and it’s a cooler time of the day for spectators,” CA chief executive James Sutherland said. “The Olympics, the NRL and the AFL ... much of it is played at night because it’s a more convenient time for viewers and fans,” he pointed out.

The biggest roadblock in holding the match is the availability of a suitable ball but CA says it will be taken care of by November. “The white ball for one-day cricket that lasts 50 overs is not suitable,” Sutherland said.

Meanwhile, CA spokesman Peter Young said the Board was awaiting a report on the feasibility of introducing special balls for night cricket. “It has been well publicised that we are very interested in the concept of night cricket. People around the world enjoy watching their sport at night, and we are of the opinion that the time has come for Test cricket to explore new possibilities,” he said.

Meanwhile, PCB director-general Javed Miandad scoffed at CA’s plans to host a day-night Test.

... contd.