By Jon Pierik
Australia's top cricketers remain opposed to a day-night Ashes Test next summer, as the upgraded pink ball went under the microscope on Tuesday on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield season.
Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board have yet to agree to scheduling a pink-ball Test in Australia next summer. CA chief executive James Sutherland has said there could be between "zero and two" day-night Tests, with a CA spokesman this week saying discussions were ongoing.
Tasmanian wicketkeeper Jake Doran with the new pink ball in use in the Sheffield Shield match at the MCG on Tuesday.Credit: Scott Barbour
The day-night concept, with two more Tests to be held this summer, against South Africa in Adelaide and Pakistan in Brisbane, is seen as a way of generating greater attendances and television ratings.
Brisbane has struggled to attract even modest attendances for Tests outside of the Ashes so this year's day-night clash – scheduled in the more family-friendly holiday period of mid-December – will provide a good guide to its value.
Players point out that all Ashes Tests are well attended, particularly the opening three days which are generally sold-out in several cities, including Brisbane, so the need to appeal for greater attendances during an Ashes series doesn't carry as much weight.
Australian Cricketers' Association chief Alistair Nicholson said on Tuesday an Ashes day-night Test was not needed.
"The players have consistently showed a willingness to adapt and innovate with the changing landscape of the game; with new formats, crowd engagement, new technology and playing an exciting brand of cricket," he said.
"For 140 years the Ashes has been the pinnacle of Test cricket for Australia and England, and is widely recognised as the most popular Test series on the ICC calendar.
"The players can provide valuable insight into the use of the pink ball going forward, at both international and domestic level. A coordinated approach is the best way to ensure that Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the game."
Australian captain Steve Smith and counterpart Alastair Cook this year said they were against rescheduling an Ashes Test.
The argument players may struggle to counter is that a day-night Test is likely to attract a greater television audience, with the afternoon local start time more appealing to viewers in England, who are 10 hours behind in time difference.
Next summer's series will be the first Ashes broadcast in England by BT Sport, which outbid Rupert Murdoch's Sky Sports for a five-year deal to Australian cricket. BT is believed to have spent more than $120 million acquiring the rights, beginning this summer, and will be keen for as big a possible return on its investment.
The ECB has signalled its support for the day-night concept – and an Ashes Test – by scheduling its inaugural home pink-ball clash against the West Indies at Edgbaston in August.
Australian players still have concerns about the Kookaburra pink ball, although it's hoped the upgraded model – used in this round of Shield matches – will provide positive feedback. The changes include a black seam, hopefully allowing batsmen to sight it quicker, and greater lacquer in a bid to retain its shine for longer.
The players are frustrated the ball is being developed "on the run", rather than the final product being the best available for what remains the sport's pinnacle format.
Last summer's day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide was hailed as a success by CA. Pakistan and the West Indies held a pink-ball clash in Dubai this month, although attendances were abysmal, for the Pakistan Cricket Board barely promotes its home-away-from-home Tests.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India gave only a lukewarm response to pink balls after they were trialled in the domestic Duleep Trophy.