'Tests under lights is the way to bring fans to stadium'
Day-night Test matches could be the way out to sell series that fail to attract fans and sponsors, feels Australian coach Tim Nielsen. Nielsen's comments came a day after ICC President David Morgan said that Australia is the country made for day-night Test cricket.
"Day-night Tests may offer a way of revitalising the series and matches that are not publicly seen as the big ones. Celebrating the game and the occasion at night may well be a way these matches claim some real public and media interest in addition to the contest itself. The world of cricket needs positive change to keep people rolling through the gates and ensure the viewer is given the best possible product," Nielsen wrote on his Cricket Australia blog.
The major stumbling block to day-night Tests is finding a suitable cricket ball with research showing that pink coloured balls are probably the most appropriate. Nielsen said upcoming MCC vs Durham match, where pink balls will be trialled would help move forward on this issue. "The requirement to find a different coloured ball to the normal red that will last the five-day span and withstand the wear ... is paramount.
"This game provides the perfect opportunity to test the ball and allows real feedback on its ability to be a legitimate vehicle to take the longer form of the game into a new era," he said.
