day night cricket tests

[Ken Gargett]

wondering on the thoughts of cricket fans.

i am hugely positive about them. this has been the best test of the series by a mile. so sick of games with sides scoring 500 plus on concrete roads and the bowlers having no chance.

this game has gone back and forth. time of writing, very much in the balance.

i understand that they need to be selective where they play. in order to preserve the ball. need plenty of grass.

so, as a cricket fan, are you in favour? thoughts?

i went down for day 2 of the game yesterday and had a hoot. loved it.

and ended up having a long talk with glen mcgrath. you could not hope to meet a nicer, more humble bloke.

[Guest rob]

I love it. Couldn't be happier with it.

The accessibility of being able to watch it has been the best bit for me - It's been great to be able to sit back on the arvo and watch essentially an entire 'day' of play. I'm a big test cricket fan, and it must admit it has been difficult to go to work when there has been a great match on...this is a brilliant change that will bring fans back to the purest form of the game.

[westg]

Initially didn't like the idea . have to say really enjoying this test as also ....crowds are positive as well. Numbers that is

[westg]

Watching from home I think the pink ball is a bonus....very easy to see

[Ken Gargett]

Watching from home I think the pink ball is a bonus....very easy to see

westy, much much easier to see at the ground as well. absolutely stands out.

[westg]

Tickled Pink watching Craig from NZ bowling spin ....amazing to see that ball drift

[Ken Gargett]

Tickled Pink watching Craig from NZ bowling spin ....amazing to see that ball drift

imagine what you'll get from a competent bowler!

[El Presidente]

Let me know when the League/Union starts

[Guest rob]

Let me know when the League/Union starts

Just keep an eye on the papers for when another highly paid footballer is on the front page for some sort of socially unacceptable, or law breaking transgression. That usually indicates the season has started again.

[Ken Gargett]

Just keep an eye on the papers for when another highly paid footballer is on the front page for some sort of socially unacceptable, or law breaking transgression. That usually indicates the season has started again.

seriously? they take time off these days?

[Guest rob]

seriously? they take time off these days?

The journos need a break from writing about the idiots.

[Guest rob]

Back to cricket - I wonder how long it will be till the day / nigher tests become regularly scheduled fixtures.

[BurnsNZ]

I'm all for day/night test matches after watching the past 4 days in Adelaide. To me it has been a great success - attendance looked great, atmosphere looked good, ball swung around making it exciting - and anything to get people more interested in test match cricket is a winner for me.

It always disappointed me when there was a test that might start midweek - so you would miss two/three whole days while at work (and if NZ were playing it was probably over within those days ). This way you can still head down after work and get in two full sessions. Lets hope it continues.

[JohnS]

I waited until the 3rd Test Match concluded tonight. Thank Ken for opening up this topic. My thoughts are...

1) The first day/night test was a huge success. Firstly the crowd averaged about 40000 a day making a great atmosphere for fans and players. Compared to the Brisbane test which averaged 10000 a day and Perth with 9000 a day, this test was needed.

2) The times of the test are fan-friendly and good for television.

3) I like the additional change to conditions brought about by playing the third session under lights.

4) The pink ball is easy to see on TV but do players need a little adjusting to taking catches and fielding? There were a few drops and misfields this test.

5) I rejoiced at the drop-in pitch and the longer-grassed outfield. It was nice to see batsmen work for their runs, rather than blocking balls for four like in Perth.

6) I think the day/night Test match is here to stay. It will still be one test a series for a little while, with State Associations begging Cricket Australia to put their test match under lights from next season onwards.

7) It's fantastic to hear you made it to the Adelaide Test Match for this auspicious occasion, Ken!

[Ken Gargett]

I waited unitl the 3rd Test Match concluded tonight. Thank Ken for opening up this topic. My thoughts are...

1) The first day/night test was a huge success. Firstly the crowd averaged about 40000 a day making a great atmosphere for fans and players. Compared to the Brisbane test which averaged 10000 a day and Perth with 9000 a day, this test was needed.

2) The times of the test are fan-friendly and good for television.

3) I like the additional change to conditions brought about by playing the third session under lights.

4) The pink ball is easy to see on TV but do players need a little adjusting to taking catches and fielding? There were a few drops and misfields this test.

5) I rejoiced at the drop-in pitch and the longer-grassed outfield. It was nice to see batsmen work for their runs, rather than blocking balls for four like in Perth.

6) I think the day/night Test match is here to stay. It will still be one test a series for a little while, with State Associations begging Cricket Australia to put their test match under lights from next season onwards.

7) It's fantastic to hear you made it to the Adelaide Test Match for this auspicious occasion, Ken!

john, i think the drop-in pitches are often part of the problem. not so much this year but usually.

[dicko]

Yep loved it for all the reasons stated above. 2 tests per summer would be enough, I think Adelaide and Brisbane have been the most cited. Perth would be good too (especially with the heat) but the timing wouldn't work for tv for Eastern states.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Bill Hayes]

I think it was a success but I'd like to see a little less grass on the pitch. If each side made 280 to 300 in the first innings then it would be perfect. I think that keeping the surrounding areas of the pitch well grassed will help stop some of the deterioration of the ball. I didn't love it so much on this test even though it was close but I can see that it may become a real part of test cricket in the future and I'm sure I'll really enjoy it much more than totally flat wickets made to eek out 5 days to please sponsors, TV and gatekeepers of gate takings. Will be interesting to see how the ball holds up with a bit of dew or scuffing. Congrats to those who went and can say I was there for the first test under lights.

[muzz]

I think it would have been a great test no matter what time they played this test match because of the pitch. The last few test series in Australia have had the most boring pitches in the world. If we keep turning out pitches like they did at the WACA last week then they will get considerably less than 9,000 fans and further drive a nail in the coffin of test cricket.

That said any way that brings the crowd in will also a good thing, be it the time the test is played but I think more importantly give us a pitch that keeps the interest up

[Fugu]

Thought you were talking about insects, Ken....

For the record, I can confirm, mostly as annoying during day as at night....

Paul

[Coolio]

I was skeptical, but after watching the game, I'm now all for day/night Tests. Certainly the fact the bowlers had a chance to take some wickets, without there being too much movement, made it a good game to watch.

I'm especially in favour of more of them if they help keep the 5 day game alive.

The Gabba would be a perfect venue for one next season!

[Ken Gargett]

Had this test been played during the day with the red ball the outcome would been pretty much the same.

not since 1936 has a Adelaide test gone only 3 days (wet pitch)

This was nothing but an experiment for the pink ball & under lights so

should this match be classified as a official test match or not?

Next year they need to produce a typical Adelaide wicket (albeit drop in these days)to really find out how much if any

the ball and nighttime affect the Game!

Another point is when do the covers come off before a days play? generally they come off early as possible

after any morning dew dissipates(say 3 hours before play)will this still happen or will they stay in place till late-morning

as this will effect the general deterioration of the pitch. ie.hours of sun baking.

you think the outcome would have been the same in a normal test? a 3 day event? doubt it.

i think calling this "nothing but an experiment" is a bit demeaning. it was the best test of the summer by a mile. and of course it should be a test. why not? every time there is a rule change or an innovation, the game doesn't count? would strongly disagree. remember bradman and peers never played on a covered pitch. should the first tests with covered pitches be considered experiments? or the move from 8 to 6 ball overs? or after bodyline when they changed laws re fielding positions? and many others.

i thought it was a terrific test. the first of the series that was competitive. i'd like a test to go five days but i'd take a three day competitive test over a five day batting borefest any day.

my only issue was neville was dead set man of the match by a mile but as ever, keepers are ignored (yes, a former keeper here). that and how the hell can someone so incompetent be a 3rd ump. mind you, he was incompetent as an ump on the field so why the hell anyone thought he'd be better as a 3rd ump, beyond me.

the covers are an interesting issue but they'll work all these small things out quickly. and remember, same for both sides.

[JohnS]

It was a great test, I concur. Peter Nevill was magnificent, it was a shame he fot out at the end.

I think as the summer moves along, and we endure these sadly uncompetitive tests coming up against the West Indies, that this match will be remembered even more fondly.

[frenchkiwi]

I think it would have been a great test no matter what time they played this test match because of the pitch. The last few test series in Australia have had the most boring pitches in the world. If we keep turning out pitches like they did at the WACA last week then they will get considerably less than 9,000 fans and further drive a nail in the coffin of test cricket.

That said any way that brings the crowd in will also a good thing, be it the time the test is played but I think more importantly give us a pitch that keeps the interest up

I'm sure I'll really enjoy it much more than totally flat wickets made to eek out 5 days to please sponsors, TV and gatekeepers of gate takings. Will be interesting to see how the ball holds up with a bit of dew or scuffing.

+1 to these thoughts. Nothing worse than innings going 500+ runs for a couple of wickets. Cricket has to be a real competition between bat and ball and i've hardly watched any of the series played in Australia in recent times - flat and dull.

i think the green tinged pitch was just as much if not more of an influence than the day/night/lights. the knowledge that some swing is coming every evening livens things up tactically though - teams going for quick "hit out or get out" sessions so they can bowl again before the day is through etc. Very interesting.

Anecdotal evidence so far, am keen to see more.

[Ken Gargett]

+1 to these thoughts. Nothing worse than innings going 500+ runs for a couple of wickets. Cricket has to be a real competition between bat and ball and i've hardly watched any of the series played in Australia in recent times - flat and dull.

i think the green tinged pitch was just as much if not more of an influence than the day/night/lights. the knowledge that some swing is coming every evening livens things up tactically though - teams going for quick "hit out or get out" sessions so they can bowl again before the day is through etc. Very interesting.

Anecdotal evidence so far, am keen to see more.

agree - especially re the tactics for the night session. 100 years of cricket has been, as bill lawry and a few other captains have said, you bat 9 out of ten times if you win the toss. the tenth, you think about bowling and then bat. this makes it even more of a tactical game. love the prospect.