CA: We can convince SA to play at night

Cricket365
May 5, 2016

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has not given up on the Day-Night Test in November, saying he is confident of convincing South Africa’s players to participate in the Adelaide game under lights.

The Proteas have resisted the idea, as none of them have any experience with the pink ball, while Australia’s players have plenty. But Sutherland said he had a productive chat with CSA during the recent ICC meeting in Dubai.

Sutherland said on the Cricket Australia website: “I continue to be optimistic about the Adelaide Test match being played as a day-night Test match.

“It’s a big opportunity. It will be a bigger crowd than the South African players have ever seen before.

“We probably won’t see any firm decisions on that until after IPL is over and their players get back home.

“Things are heading in the right direction.”

Sutherland also said that there were a few countries eager to host day-night games in the upcoming months, with India already indicating they’d want one of the Tests against New Zealand to be played under lights.

Sutherland said: “There is a very broad-ranging commitment to Day-Night Test cricket.

“Three or four member countries are planning on hosting Test cricket under lights in the course of the next 12 months.

“Other countries subject to ensuring their lights have the appropriate lux levels (are interested).

“To a person, full member countries and their CEOs stated their absolute support for Test cricket being played under lights.”