Ashes 2017-18 to have two day-night fixtures

It seems that day-night cricket is steadily spreading its presence in the cricketing calendar after Cricket Australia announced that the 2017-18 Ashes series in Australia could feature two day-night Tests. The development has occurred despite Alastair Cook and Steven Smith calling for all Ashes games to be played with the conventional red ball during the day.

Cook and Smith, the Test captains of England and Australia respectively, believe there is no need for Ashes to go day-night as the viewership was good already. However, James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said it would be a “natural progression” for Ashes to join the pink-ball revolution as it could attract even bigger audiences.

“We’ve played one day-night Test match and this summer we have two in the schedule, so I think there’s a natural progression for us to get to a point where Ashes Test matches are played as day-night games,” Sutherland was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Thursday (June 9). “The Ashes series is still a long way off and we want to get through this summer first, but we will play somewhere between zero and two day-night Tests during the Ashes in 18 months’ time.”

“I respect the views of Steven and Alastair. The Ashes is a great contest and will no doubt attract a huge audience both at the grounds and on television, but the facts of the matter are by playing day-night Tests, we’re going to get even bigger audiences at the game and on television.”

Sutherland called for everyone to be open-minded about the concept saying a day-night Ashes Test in Australia would be easier for people in England to watch.

“The time shifts games into a more appealing time of day in the UK,” he said. “We all need to stay very open minded to this and continue to progress and build everyone’s confidence. But certainly if the experience of Adelaide is anything to go by, with 124,000 people attending over three days last summer, fans are voting with their feet on that front.”

Sutherland also hinted that Adelaide and Brisbane could be the venues for the two day-night Tests.

“There’s no doubt from our point of view Sydney and Melbourne are landmarks in the calendar and they work very well as day games at that time of year when everyone is on holiday,” he said. “Perth is already time-shifted into the eastern states with the three-hour time difference. It’s difficult to say what the right balance (between red and pink ball) is, but what will happen in future is the fans will ultimately decide.”

On Wednesday, both Smith and Cook had expressed reservations about day-night Ashes encounters for similar reasons.

Also, read – South Africa confirm participation in day-night Test at Adelaide Oval

“The crowds and the viewers for the regular Ashes Test matches are pretty good,” Smith said in Guyana. “There’s a bit to be talked about there, but it’s still a little while away. We’ll wait and see what happens with that one. My personal preference probably would be, yeah (to keep the Ashes to day Tests).”

Cook also had a similar opinion and said that he wasn’t too comfortable with the pink ball, citing a sensible reason behind his disapproval to pink ball games.

“A lot of the games have really good attendances, and it’s probably not a series where you need to do it exactly at this time,” Cook said. “My general view of day-night Tests is that they’re definitely something cricket authorities need to keep looking at – because it’s the way to keep the game moving with the times, making it more possible for spectators to come and watch. My issue with it is the quality of the pink ball. No disrespect to the guys who make it – but on the two occasions I’ve played, it doesn’t seem to behave the same way as the red ball.”

Just a day before, it was announced that Australia and South Africa would clash in a day-night Test after a lot of debate and dialogue between both the boards. The match which will take place in Adelaide would be the only second pink-ball Test in history.