World cricket’s top administrator is convinced it “won’t be too long” before day/night Tests are being played in either Australia or India.
David Morgan, the president of the International Cricket Council, in an interview here, also said a “context” for Test and one-day international matches was on its way.
While Tests in England are generally sold out and England or South Africa Test tours of Australia also attract large crowds, elsewhere other series in the five-day format struggle to attract spectators.
Ever since floodlit fixtures were pioneered in Australia more than 30 years ago as part of the ‘rebel’ World Series Cricket, there have been suggestions day/night Tests could draw in spectators who are at work during normal playing hours.
But so far, in part because of concerns the white ball used for floodlit cricket won’t stand up to the wear and tear of a five-day match, they have yet to become a reality.
Morgan, speaking ahead of an ICC meeting at Lord’s this week, insisted day/night Tests were on the horizon.
“I talked to administrators in Australia whom I expected to be so conservative as to be against day/night Test cricket but they are very much for it and I believe it won’t be too long before we see them being played in Australia or India,” he said.
One complaint is that too many Tests, as well as one-dayers, lack “context”. Although the ICC has introduced a Test table, its complex rating system has so far failed to excite much interest.
Morgan, perhaps concerned by promising something leading countries — who organise series between themselves within minimum ICC guidelines — won’t let him deliver, has repeatedly refrained from using the word ‘championship’ or ‘league’ in connection with Tests and ODIs. — AFP