Day/Night Test Cricket. Hero or zero?

[DJ...]

I hear that this is being proposed as a potential solution to our (relatively) poor crowd numbers. Now let's forget about the merits of that argument as it has been bitched around the forum enough already, and seeing as the proposal is in, we can safely conclude that the cricket bodies believe there is a problem that needs rectifying.

So what are your thoughts on day/night test cricket. It would add a completely different dynamic to test cricket without changing the intricacies of the game, as per some of the other ludicrous proposals. One of the main arguments against it is the dew and swing factor at night, but I'm not convinced that this argument can hold water, as both teams will over the course of the 5 days and nights, experience the same conditions during batting and bowling. There is no unfair advantage, and if there was, it would be reflected more in one-day cricket results - the 5 days (or nights) balances things out more than one-day cricket.

I like the idea! I can barely follow the score while at work, let alone watch much of it. But discussing it during the day amongst mates and colleagues then leaving the office for a fine night of world-class test cricket would be great! It would also solve some of the issues with hosting cricket in remotely removed time-zones such as Australiasia. Advertising revenue would be greatly increased as the games would fill prime-time slots as opposed to day-time (talk-show competing) slots.

What are your thoughts? Good, bad or otherwise? Would you be more likely to attend a night test than taking a day off (or taking clients, tsk) just for the pleasure?

 

[Rosaudio]

All we need are pink balls imo.

That would make the game so much juicier

 

[DJ...]

Ah yes, the ball issue - well we have balls of all colours and at different stages of play already. All we need is a ball swap for a ball in a similar state but a different colour if the coloured ball issue becomes prohibitive. We can surely keep the balls longer as per one-day cricket?

 

[Sting]

Sorry, but I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Test cricket.

White kit, red ball. No floodlights.

 

[Rosaudio]

Ah yes, the ball issue - well we have balls of all colours and at different stages of play already. All we need is a ball swap for a ball in a similar state but a different colour if the coloured ball issue becomes prohibitive. We can surely keep the balls longer as per one-day cricket?

Good idea

 

[DJ...]

Sorry, but I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Test cricket.

White kit, red ball. No floodlights.

For the case of being a purist only, or is there a logical reason for not wanting day/night tests to go ahead?

Wouldn't you be willing to sacrifice the whites and ball colour for the sake of being able to watch aussie vs sa cricket at a less ungodly hour? And being able to leave work and enjoy a few brewskies with the boys while watching SA pummel England in our own back yard, as opposed to watching the highlights reel on Supersport?

And the floodlight issue, well it resolves the "bad light stopped play" BS. Fewer interruptions makes for a better game imo. Like a stadium with a roof - should we outlaw those for test cricket because they interfere with the rain, or bless them for the same reason? Depends on which side of the cookie you're watching it crumble to...

 

[Sting]

For the case of being a purist only

That.

 

[LancelotSA]

Give it a go at domestic level first perhaps and see how it affects the actual game. If it has no impact then give it a further go at international level. There is after all nothing to lose.

But... I know a lot of people who go to watch cricket to enjoy the sun and the chicks (obviously along with the cricket), so what will happen on weekends then? This solves the midweek issues but you may lose crowds on weekends when people would rather be going out than watching cricket at night.

Ok, now I am just thinking out loud but in saying that I also know that in Durban a lot of people do not go to the cricket when it is a stunning day as they would rather be on the beach... or it is just too hot to contemplate sitting all day in the sun watching cricket... hmm definitely will need to be tried to see what happens.

 

[DJ...]

Give it a go at domestic level first perhaps and see how it affects the actual game. If it has no impact then give it a further go at international level. There is after all nothing to lose.

Precisely. There is very little to lose and everything to gain. Could you envisage it affecting the game negatively though?

But... I know a lot of people who go to watch cricket to enjoy the sun and the chicks (obviously along with the cricket), so what will happen on weekends then? This solves the midweek issues but you may lose crowds on weekends when people would rather be going out than watching cricket at night.

I've seen some of the largest crowds at night at one-day games though. Some people see going to the cricket as a precursor to going out, or some as an actual "going out" event too (those sad chaps)...

...so what will happen on weekends then?

If it's a 5 day day/nighter, then the weekends will be day/night too. It will free up the weekend days to get things done (banks, shopping - you know, the usual "missus excuses" that we've all had to put off cricket for)...

 

[DJ...]

That.

Should we revert back to 8-ball overs too?

 

[Sting]

Should we revert back to 8-ball overs too?

Strangely enough that was also an experiment!

Balls per over
In 1889 the immemorial four ball over was replaced by a five ball over and then this was changed to the current six balls an over in 1900. Subsequently, some countries experimented with eight balls an over. In 1922, the number of balls per over was changed from six to eight in Australia only. In 1924 the eight ball over was extended to New Zealand and in 1937 to South Africa. In England, the eight ball over was adopted experimentally for the 1939 season; the intention was to continue the experiment in 1940, but first-class cricket was suspended for the Second World War and when it resumed, English cricket reverted to the six ball over. The 1947 Laws of Cricket allowed six or eight balls depending on the conditions of play. Since the 1979/80 Australian and New Zealand seasons, the six ball over has been used worldwide and the most recent version of the Laws in 2000 only permits six ball overs.

 

[DJ...]

Strangely enough that was also an experiment!

So is the review system. I'm all for that too. You?

 

[LancelotSA]

I've seen some of the largest crowds at night at one-day games though. Some people see going to the cricket as a precursor to going out, or some as an actual "going out" event too (those sad chaps)...

Yip, that is true but would you get those crowds for five consecutive days? That is 5 late nights in a row during a work week? Again not saying we won't but just wondering.

If it's a 5 day day/nighter, then the weekends will be day/night too. It will free up the weekend days to get things done (banks, shopping - you know, the usual "missus excuses" that we've all had to put off cricket for)...

Yip, I hear you, but that is us old fuddy duddies ha ha The "youngsters" that the organisers are probably wanting to start attracting have different priorities though. Would be interesting to see the hours being considered too, as yes a few "youngsters" would meet at the cricket, get sozzled and then head off to party.

Like we are agreeing, give it a go and see what happens.


EDIT : And out of interest why is it automatically assumed that sodomy is a bad thing? A bit of sodomy can be good thing!

 

[sand_man]

Yes. Bring it on. I been saying it for years....

We need to see test matches running their course that being 450 overs over 5 days. A 2pm kick off at least affords one the opportunity to amend the rules to allow play to start as early as is necessary to make up the lost time...

As for the spectators there are simply very few things in life that is as exhilarating as international sport under floodlights whether it be F1, Soccer, Rugby or Cricket.. Oh, and sodomy...

 

[DJ...]

Yip, that is true but would you get those crowds for five consecutive days? That is 5 late nights in a row during a work week? Again not saying we won't but just wondering.

I'd like to rephrase your question into the context here a little bit - will we see bigger crowds at night or during the day? I can only answer from my perspective, and it's a big thumbs up to the night games. I simply can't make it during the week to the day games and have no problems with the evenings on weekends...

Yip, I hear you, but that is us old fuddy duddies ha ha

Oi, watch your foul mouth...

The "youngsters" that the organisers are probably wanting to start attracting have different priorities though. Would be interesting to see the hours being considered too, as yes a few "youngsters" would meet at the cricket, get sozzled and then head off to party.

They could add some after-match night-time flavour to the matches. Much like they did with the rugby in Durbs by placing Eighties right outside the stadiums... At the Wanderers for example, there are plently of jols around that area...

EDIT : And out of interest why is it automatically assumed that sodomy is a bad thing? A bit of sodomy can be good thing!

Your missus is one very open-minded individual...

 

[Sting]

EDIT : And out of interest why is it automatically assumed that sodomy is a bad thing? A bit of sodomy can be good thing!

Yes. Bring it on. I been saying it for years....

:wtf: this is a cricket thread!!

 

[DJ...]

Woohoo - poll added. Go cast your vote...

 

[Alan]

Problem is not the game it's the people. Dumbed down masses

 

[Sting]

done - guess? !

 

[LancelotSA]

I'Your missus is one very open-minded individual...

:wtf: this is a cricket thread!!

ha ha

My vote added...