Night Test at Lord’s

Last updated: 30 Mar 2009
Posted By: Nasrun-Min-Ullah-Mir

I wonder what would have been the reactions of great Kerry Pecker to this cricketing ‘renaissance?’ It may be too early to envisage good and bad with this transformation, but for sure, a lot is happening.

Earlier one-day cricket was a three meal event, now it is a three hour game with loads of popcorn, cola and noise. It is similar to day’s highlights older generation was so used to seeing after returning from their work; except it is live.

Add to it the franchisee concept of Indian Premier League, gosh! Pecker would have been a happy man. After all, he was the man behind cricket’s glitz and glamour. But when it comes to Test Cricket,  I believe, he too was a conservative.

The longer version has more or less remained the same, except, partly induced referrals system, nothing much has changed. Though, that is just the half truth. A lot is happening, Ok! debated at this moment, in the corridors of uncertainty where the future of Test cricket hangs in balance, and everyday, new theories gain ground to keep the most enthralling (only if you love) format of the game on its feet.

During the recent Down Under which South Africa won 2-1, legendary leg spinner Shane Warne was vocal throughout the series, favoring day-night Test matches, which according to him will help attract crowds. Apart from that nothing much has made news, except the color of ball – if in future, Test cricket was played under lights – most favored to replace traditional cherry is pink, followed closely  by yellow and orange, nothing is settled yet.

But just giving a glimpse to what is happening in England, may be we don’t need a pinky anymore.

England and Wales Cricket Board in consent with Bangladesh are planning the first Test match under lights in 2010. Not only this they are going to scrap the traditional the white with colored uniform, that too at the home of cricket, Lord’s, from where it all begun.

The cricket intellectuals at the MCC believe by doing so, they will pull-in crowds to a series which otherwise goes unnoticed even to MCC members, forget about generation hip-hoppers.

Teams will play with a white ball instead of the leather red ball and the game would start at 2.30 and finish at 9.30pm each day.

Though they need permission from International Cricket Council, the game’s governing body it seems not a tough ask. Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager, said: “Overall the ICC remains committed to the promotion of the Test cricket and if this means playing some Tests under lights we would certainly consider it.”  FOR MORE CRICKET NEWS