For the first time in 138 years, a Test match will be played with a ball that is not red.
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The day-night Test is one of cricket’s rare innovations and follows the advent of one-day internationals in the 1970s and the glitzy Twenty20 format in the last decade.
His death – a freak accident – stunned Australia and the world cricket community, sparking an outpouring of grief.
Cricket Australia has been applauded for the history-making initiative in the build-up as a means to promote flagging interest in the long-form game, but actions on the field of play were always set to speak louder than the words of administrators.
“Safety is our absolute top priority and I’m not sure we’re doing everything humanly possible to honour Phillip’s memory”, he told Thursday’s Sydney Morning Herald.
Players revelled in the energised atmosphere generated by a huge and very curious crowd at Adelaide Oval for the first day of the first pink-ball Test – between Australia and New Zealand – on Friday (November 27). And the players from Australia and New Zealand do so in this Test with a series on the line.
“I think that will turn out to be easier to see for a batsman rather than this pink ball”. “There’s definitely something to that (declaring to bowl at night), if you think that’s the best chance to take a few early wickets”, he said.
The 36-year-old former England spinner has not played in a match using a pink ball – he retired midway through the 5-0 Ashes whitewash two years ago – but reports from his former county colleagues at Nottinghamshire have not encouraged him. “The laws could be tougher and more stringent”.
The anniversary was brought into sharp focus late on Wednesday, when a young net bowler was struck behind his ear off the bat of Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh during the training session.
“I must compliment Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and their teams for having the vision to engage in this historic milestone for world cricket”.
Many will no doubt be glued to their television screens watching the batsmen grapple with the pink ball when the lights go on. The youth was not seriously hurt. Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said both sides will be keen to bowl at night, something which will affect strategy including declarations.
You didn’t get much swing early on, but there was a bit of seam movement throughout the day, so a lot of comparisons with how it is with the white ball.
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Current captain Steve Smith said his team would play with smiles on their faces. “We’ve got enough bowling in our lineup to take the 10 more wickets and I think we’ll be fine”.
