Day/Night Test Cricket. Hero or zero?

[phiber]

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

White kit, red ball. No floodlights.

Yea, not gonna go watch a test match till 10pm on a Sunday, think its ridiculous. Part of the "test" of test cricket is dealing with the heat while fielding for 2 days straight. Then going in to bat and still being able to concentrate. Also removes the morning starts which are usually the best sessions of test cricket. Often there is morning clouds, best session for the bowlers. If you watch the England SA series most of the wickets fell in the first sessions. They were the most interesting sessions (like the one this morning). Or the one where england took 4/11 in capetown i think.

 

[DJ...]

Yea, not gonna go watch a test match till 10pm on a Sunday, think its ridiculous.

The final night of a thrilling test? What about a one-dayer? And if it ended at 9pm instead?

 

[DJ...]

done - guess? !

It takes all-sorts in this world, I suppose...

 

[sand_man]

Yeah I would like to see Onions batting to save a test much at 10.30pm under lights, Steyn the bowler, on a Sunday evening!!!!!!

 

[LancelotSA]

The final night of a thrilling test? What about a one-dayer? And if it ended at 9pm instead?

This is what I was questioning. What time is being considered? 10pm will be too late for a lot of people for five consecutive days. Those chores the missus is wanting done will not get done if all the blokes are sleeping in until 11am after only getting home at around 11pm.

If it ends at 8pm then not sure how many after work folk will go as it will mean they only get two hours of cricket.

EDIT : Oi, I see the thread title has changed... that now leaves my one comment totally out of context! Bloody mod thread starter!

 

[sand_man]

1.30pm-9pm

 

[cr@zydude]

I wouldn't like to see it, I really like my test cricket the way it is, just the review system needs some tweeking. Maybe try it in the SuperSport Series first, and see if the croweds pick up. If so, and only then try it in Aus.

All the people pushing for it, do you realise the problem with the ball, the ICC are trying a pink ball for this. Also, how will due affect the pitch at night? It needs to be used for 5 days unlike an ODI or Pro 20.

 

[DJ...]

Yeah I would like to see Onions batting to save a test much at 10.30pm under lights, Steyn the bowler, on a Sunday evening!!!!!!

Fsck that. Make Ashwell Prince bowl right-handed for all I care...

 

[LancelotSA]

1.30pm-9pm

Hmm with Joburgs weather that will still mean a few lost hours to afternoon thunderstorms. I realise that it could then mean an earlier start the next day but then this would mean one team may get a lot longer batting in the day time which would cancel the balance DJ put forward.

It will also be interesting to see how the toss would be approached if this was implemented. Do you consider when this could result in your batting? In this last test SA would have had to come in and bat on the first night. And declarations. Declare just as the sun goes down making it difficult for the opposition to adjust during that tough transition period with sunlight turning to artificial light.

 

[DJ...]

I wouldn't like to see it, I really like my test cricket the way it is

Let's face it, that's not much of an argument is it? Tell us some of the reasons why it wouldn't work instead...

All the people pushing for it, do you realise the problem with the ball, the ICC are trying a pink ball for this. Also, how will due affect the pitch at night? It needs to be used for 5 days unlike an ODI or Pro 20.

Addressed these two issues earlier...

 

[DJ...]

Hmm with Joburgs weather that will still mean a few lost hours to afternoon thunderstorms. I realise that it could then mean an earlier start the next day but then this would mean one team may get a lot longer batting in the day time which would cancel the balance DJ put forward.

That's just up to nature and already plays a part in the game. The only difference being the balance between night and day and with the times proposed, there's already only about 3 hours of night batting. It would become a part of the strategy for the captains though as the weather could play a serious role in JHB. Although knowing this weather, if it storms tonight, it'll do the same tomorrow and the next day if it isn't raining - i.e. all teams affected pretty evenly.

It will also be interesting to see how the toss would be approached if this was implemented. Do you consider when this could result in your batting?

As has been witnessed already, trying to predict when a team will bat until is more guesswork than a Free State matriculant's answers in these years' finals...

And declarations. Declare just as the sun goes down making it difficult for the opposition to adjust during that tough transition period with sunlight turning to artificial light.

The light issue already affects play to quite a degree. I don't think it will have as much of an impact as you think. Especially if what was before lunch, becomes dinner at that time...

 

[Sting]

Imagine the discussion at the MMC, Lords: "It's just not cricket, old chap".

 

[DJ...]

Imagine the discussion at the MMC, Lords: "It's just not cricket, old chap".

I can picture you in a top-hat, puffing on a cigar, complaining about the room-temperature whisky, saying exactly that...

 

[Sting]

I can picture you in a top-hat, puffing on a cigar, complaining about the room-temperature whisky, saying exactly that...

Almost - have never smoked though....

 

[semiautomatix]

Will give people who work a chance to attend the game. Get more people, earn more money and make tests profitable!

 

[DJ...]

To those of you who voted no, if this were introduced, would you not attend the matches on principle?

 

[Sting]

I watch any form of cricket. I just won't classify this as traditional Test cricket.

 

[semiautomatix]

I watch any form of cricket. I just won't classify this as traditional Test cricket.

Surely the same should be said about 5 days? Traditional cricket doesn't even restrict the time period. So I'm afraid the game has changed much over the last century or two, and it will change again. Supporting "traditional cricket" seems a bit pointless since it hasn't been played in years!

 

[DJ...]

I watch any form of cricket. I just won't classify this as traditional Test cricket.

If it has little no affect on the game then what difference would it make?

 

[Sting]

Surely the same should be said about 5 days? Traditional cricket doesn't even restrict the time period. So I'm afraid the game has changed much over the last century or two, and it will change again. Supporting "traditional cricket" seems a bit pointless since it hasn't been played in years!

The last timeless Test was in 1939.