A new form of test matches, played under the nights, with a pink Kookaburra ball are about to become a regular feature of cricket in the future. With India gearing up for its first D/N TEST, it is clear that cricket’s most influential board has given a go ahead to this new and much anticipated variation to the longest format that has existed since the past century. With the international debut of this format last year, there are many more reports of boards keen to participate in one, for instance New Zealand and India, along with Australia and South Africa. This is surely an exciting prospect, and perhaps a much needed introduction of a new format that will provide a welcome rekindling of interest in test cricket that has been sadly overshadowed due to T20s and ODIs in the past. The day night test would give the game something NEW to look forward to and anticipate after the fans and players have got acclimatised with the three formats, the last of which was introduced at the onset of 2005.
What is always overlooked is that cricket is as much for its fans and stakeholders as the players. The pink ball is almost introduced as a medium of resuscitating test cricket that has been dyeing out. It is hoped that these test matches would increase the saturating interest of test cricket by giving the spectators more reason to come to the stadiums and consequently more finances will be generated. There have obviously been some reservations held by both the players and the experts about the visibility of the pink ball in the fading light or how it would hold up its shape and colour throughout the whole day, having profound effects on spin and reverse swing. Everything requires time, no new technology takes a year to settle down. The D/L technology is still widely disputed and refuted, just like the decision review system and the fielding restrictions and new ball rules are constantly chopped and changed.
Yes, there are some things about this new format to be excited about, along with some prevalent doubts. The pink ball format promises to hold some challenges for both the batsmen- to sight and strike the ball, and the bowlers- to find reverse swing or spin, and these challenges would also depend a lot more on the type of pitch, the dew factor and other conditions during the match. There have also been subtle variations in how the balls have been produced according to conditions. The advantages include the increased crowd participation- not only because of the change in timings of play, but also because people would be keen to watch their players face new challenges, as that enhances the reputation of sport.
The full house during the match
To assess the durability and validity of a format, we look at
its long term implications and immediate effects. Although a form of test cricket, this format is considerably different. The pink ball cannot wholly replace the red ball but complement it, just like the day night ODIs haven’t totally nullified the day games. The red ball still is the only medium of connection from the onset of cricket a century ago to the present where the interpretation of the game has changed exponentially in all aspects. The reservations about the day night tests are granted, but not extreme enough to render the format unplayable. The recent match between Australia and New Zealand may have been a success in terms of turn up, but hasn’t mitigated the players opinion about the difficulty of playing with the red ball. Change is never easy, and is resisted in every sport, especially by professionals settled and used to coping up with the rigours of their job. The pink ball matches offer some new opportunities, as well as another threat- that to the longevity of test cricket. If a success financially, the worldwide adoptions of pure red ball test cricket may decrease, especially in such a fragile situation.
AUS vs NZ November 2015
For the moment, YAY should be said to pink ball cricket. Just like T20s and ODIs are played at different times and each has its own charms, a similar system for test cricket would be fruitful. Similarly, a format can’t totally replace the other. Pink Ball test matches aren’t a new format, but a variation of an old format. They wouldn’t change the older format in any way, just provide another way of appreciate it by adding another aspect to it. Any new introduction is only initialised by keeping in mind the certainty of its effectiveness in the future. The pink ball matches tick that box and will be a welcome addition to red and white ball cricket.
