International Cricket - The Day-Night Test Match

Test cricket has been around for many years and isball used in one day cricket for the night time part of
always played during the daytime but there are plansthe match. The only other alternative would be to
to introduce a number of day-night test matches.develop a brand new ball that would be visible in both
These would be similar to the day and night matchesdaylight and under artificial light conditions.
in one day cricket. These games start in daylight butEven fans of test cricket would admit the five day
reach a conclusion at night under floodlights. Testformat may benefit from some slight changes.
cricket is the ultimate testing ground for cricketersAnything that would increase the excitement of
where any technical deficiencies are often exposed.international cricket has got to be a good thing. What
Fans of test match cricket will be very wary of anythey would not want to see is wholesale changes
attempt to change the current format.that would make the average test match just a
In some respects, international cricket would benefitlonger version of one day cricket. The one day game
from the introduction of the day-night test match.and the phenomenon that is twenty20 cricket have
The problem of play finishing early due to bad lighttheir place but so does the longer form of the sport.
would not be an issue if a game were played underAnother cause for concern is the clothing that would
floodlights. This can be a very frustrating part of testbe worn by the players during these day-night test
cricket as play is sometimes called off for bad lightmatches. If the coloured pajama style kits like we
when it appears to be fine. The use of floodlightssee in one day international cricket are used then the
would ensure no playing time would be lost due togame will not feel like test match cricket at all. The
issues with poor visibility.test match fans would not welcome the sight of
One of the biggest issues surrounding day-nightmulti coloured shirts with player names and squad
cricket is the ball that would be used. There arenumbers instead of good old fashioned white. Test
several options available. A conventional red ball couldcricket must retain its identity and that means playing
be used for the daytime while switching to a whitein traditional cricket whites.