If the ball can last a full 80 overs and produce a reasonable contest with the bat, the match is likely to be hailed a triumph by Australia’s hosting cricket board and day-night Tests could ultimately be adopted by other nations.
Advertisement
New Zealand crumbled in the middle session, losing three wickets for four runs in 11 balls, with opener Tom Latham, Ross Taylor and McCullum all falling through loose shots.
The Aussies will have to hope that their training under lights in Adelaide has been enough to get them in sync with new day-night conditions. “It’s very disappointing for him (Starc)”, Siddle said.
“I think cricket in general was supported well here and it would have been on TV all over the world”.
“The guys I know who have played with a pink ball, Notts went out to play the MCC (in the United Arab Emirates) and they said during the day it is fine and you see the ball, but as soon as dusk and night comes it is like facing a little comet”.
Earlier in New Zealand’s first innings, Australia’s Mitchell Starc celebrates dismissing Kane Williamson LBW for 22 runs.
Leading 1-0, Australia retained the Trans-Tasman trophy with the meandering draw in Perth, so much of the suspense in Adelaide will centre on the fitness of the pink ball and how it plays on the venue’s drop-in wicket.
“I think it’s a really exciting concept I can’t wait to get out and give it a crack”.
It took 138 years for cricket’s longest and most hallowed format to take a bow under floodlights, but only minutes for Australia paceman Peter Siddle to declare the day-night test a success after stumps on day one.
“They could just start two hours later and say we’ll turn the lights on”.
Should Starc be sidelined James Pattinson is his likely replacement after the Victorian was made 12th man for the Adelaide Test. Starc’s absence comes after fast bowling spearhead Mitchell Johnson retired following the second Perth Test against the Kiwis.
“You can erect plaques, and that’s all nice, but when it’s said and done, are we doing everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again to someone’s child?” New Zealand will need early wickets on day two otherwise the game could be quickly out of their grasp and the series over.
Australia (from): David Warner, Joe Burns, Steve Smith (captain), Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon.
Advertisement
The uniforms will remain white for the Adelaide Test – which is one reason why the white ball used in limited- overs matches is not a viable option for the Test – but the session breaks for lunch, once treated as the immovable feast, and tea will change.
