Mitchell Johnson not in favor of Day Night Tests

Former Australian spearhead Mitchell Johnson has not supported Cricket Australia’s move to schedule a day-night Ashes Test next year after the board revealed that the arch rivals will take on each other in a pink ball Test at Adelaide in the next year’s Ashes. Australia is currently playing a day-night Test against Pakistan and has won two of their previous such fixtures against New Zealand and South Africa respectively.

The recent Day-night game between Australia and South Africa attracted many people as around 125,993 fans flocked the stadium over four days. Despite more audience attraction, Johnson feels he just didn’t like the concept of Day-night Tests as it totally changes the complexion of the game.

The veteran fast bowler who tormented many batsmen during his heydays pointed out that groundsmen tend to leave a certain amount of grass in order to maintain the shape of the Pink Ball and under lights there is an uncanny feeling that it might assist the seamers a bit more.

“I’m not really happy about it. I just don’t think it’s Test cricket,” Johnson was quoted by CricBuzz on Thursday (December 15). “It’s a totally different game altogether. They change the wickets. Adelaide Oval in Test match cricket never has grass on it. But the two day-night Test matches that have been played there, there’s been lots of grass on it.

“As a bowler, I should be happy about it. Because it definitely brings bowlers into it. But to me, it’s a change of a game. And I think it changes stats as well. So I just don’t like it,” he added.

He will be in action for the Perth Scorchers in the upcoming Big Bash League. He hoped to continue for more than just one year provided his fitness remains in good shape and he performs well this season.

“I wanted to finish playing Test match cricket,” Johnson said. “It depends on how I go. If I get smacked around and I pull up really sore and I’m not enjoying it, then I won’t play. But if I enjoy it, you never know, it could be an option in the next couple of years,” Johnson concluded.