Test cricket under lights?
 

Hi all,

I am an Indian cricket fan and I have been reading this forum for a while now. I always lurk here during Test/ODI series to read the humorous and knowledgeable contributions of the members here. This is my first thread, so please go easy on me. :)

I came across an interesting article by cricinfo journalist/blogger Dileep Premachandran ( Sachin Tendulkar's words about the value of Test cricket given new light | Dileep Premachandran | Sport | guardian.co.uk ) saying that Lalit Modi suggests that Test cricket attendances/viewership in India are waning because people are unable to watch day sessions due to work, and the best way to fix this is to make it day/night sessions. I would like to hear what people think of this idea. How would the use of a white ball affect the game? Would the dew make it impossible for spinners to make an impact? Would the early morning assistance that the fast bowlers get on the first day of a Test match be replaced by swing later in the day under the lights? Personally, I love Test cricket as it is, but I have to admit I'd be curious to see how something like this works out. People always hark back to how World Series Cricket revolutionized the game (positively or negatively is a discussion for another day) with day/night cricket, coloured clothing, aggressive marketing and other innovations and maybe something like this could give Test cricket a much needed boost?

I think he is right test matches under light it will be very intresting

I would like to see it too, if they can overcome problems with the ball/lights. I find it annoying that I can watch a lot more live overseas test cricket than I can English test cricket.

I think all the trials have been quite negative, so it's not looking great at this stage from a practical pov.

Disappointing. How awesome would a thrilling test match be at night at the Mc G or the SCG

I like it from the standpoint that it would make batting much more tougher. Could lead to a better balance between bat and ball.

The biggest farce has been to offer Lights to batsmen in stadiums where they have Flood Lights. I am against Day/Night Test matches and I dont think players would want to play 5 nights in a row.

Besides it is a huge waste of energy for a country like India where 90 % of the population do not have proper power.

Haha, seriously? You're going to bring that into it? Half the ODIs are day/night, as is most of IPL.

Frankly, I don't really care about the ball. They'll deal with it. It's such a huge thing for the sport that you can't wait for things to be perfect before you start. They'll work out the kinks once they start playing.

Instinctively I'm anti, but I don't much like change, me. Pretty sure I'd have been up in arms about covered pitches 40 years ago too.

I think the real politik of the situation is that it will happen once the ball probs have been sorted out. However, I don't suppose it will be possible everywhere because of the dew.

my sentiments more or less verbatim

Doubt can only be removed by action.

I'm not so sure.

D/N's on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the test, weekends back to day.

players union would never allow for a mix of d/n and day tests.

Yes.

Personally the biggest reason why D/N Shield matches failed the first time had little to do with the ball. The players bitched a bit but, really, only a few more people went than would have during the day.

The conspiratorialist in me wonders about the most recent ball issues and whether it's being set up to fail a bit. The players have said the pink rubs off to reveal the white ball underneath. Why are they just painting over an already painted surface? If not for untoward reasons, that's pretty bloody shoddy.