The positive response by fans was reflected by record crowds and television ratings, with the national TV audience for the third day peaking at 3.19 million viewers, making it the highest rating day in Nine’s 2015-16 Summer of Cricket.
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Australia win the match, the first day-night test, by 3 wickets inside of 3 days and won the series 2-0. It was a struggle for batsmen at times, particularly as natural light faded and the artificial lamps kicked in, but that was entirely expected.
A contentious call from umpire Nigel Llong handed the initiative to Australia in the first pink-ball test in Adelaide. Shaun Marsh had been dropped during the Ashes series in England in August and only came into the Adelaide Test as a replacement for injured number three Usman Khawaja.
However, skippers Steve Smith and Brendon McCullum couldn’t have been any more unequivocal in their support.
“I thought New Zealand was in with a chance in most of the games – I saw some weaknesses I thought we could exploit”, Holder said.
“Day-night cricket is meant to allow Tests to be played at night and it’s not meant to differ or change how Test cricket is played”.
“I don’t think that will happen”, Marsh said on Tuesday.
However, David Warner was out 12 balls later, caught at second slip by Southee off Bracewell for 35 in a big scalp for the Black Caps.
Barham said the move would “harm” the BBL which is played over the course of December and January, the same time as the marque Tests if the two formats were pitted against one another in the timeslot. PINK HAZE Under Sutherland, CA has long championed day-night cricket and engaged local manufacturer Kookaburra almost a decade ago to produce a ball that could both be seen under lights and last the full 80 overs required in a test match.
If the voice of the cricket fan, the game’s most critical stakeholder, was a barometer, this was a ringing endorsement.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today hailed the first-ever day-night Test as a “huge success”, which was “enjoyed by cricket followers across the world”.
“Day-night Tests will not be feasible at every venue, (but they) certainly provide a new dimension for players, spectators, broadcasters and fans alike and (are) here to stay”. “From my point of view, it’s a keeper”.
“If they’re going to keep doing that to wickets and squares it’s going to be around for a while”.
“It’s not something that I’m looking at doing right now”.
NZ coach Mike Hesson also praised the concept but criticised the ball. The recently revamped Adelaide Oval was a good laboratory for the test case at the end of Spring in South Australia, which is generally dry and mild.
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The 25-year-old has been bowling under duress for most of the year. At this stage, it’s the batters who could have a slight gripe about the ball. “It’s just about trying to get that bone in my foot right and… see how it is when the boot finally comes off”.
