Icc Wants Day-night Test Matches

International Cricket Council president David Morgan believes day-night Test matches will be introduced into the sport within the next two years in a move designed to combat dwindling attendance figures.

The ICC’s move comes after a number of the cricket-playing nations expressed a need to boost the appeal of Test cricket compared to the frenetic one-day and Twenty20 formats.

Morgan said: ‘Eighteen months ago I wouldn’t have been overly-enthusiastic but there is no reason why day-night Tests won’t be attractive. I’d be surprised if we don’t see day-night Test cricket within two years.’

England’s annual season curtain-raiser, which sees an MCC team play against the county champions, will be played in Abu Dhabi under floodlights, and with a pink ball, from 29th March.

A successful trial could speed up the process to introduce day-night Test cricket, though earlier plans to stage next summer’s first Test between England and Bangladesh under the new Lord’s floodlights may have to be adjusted.

Morgan went on: ‘The ICC has recognised that in some countries Test cricket is not that popular in terms of people paying at the gate. We want to ensure Test cricket is as popular around the world as it is in England.

‘All 10 full board members at the ICC are switched on to improving Test cricket and its attendances. If Test cricket were to wither around the world it would cause a problem here.

‘If you look at a country like Australia with big stadia and very hot conditions, it’s made for day-night Test cricket. Test cricket has changed over 130 years and there are now very good reasons for bringing crowds out.

‘Test cricket has endured and I’m sure it will continue to thrive. The biggest events are the Ashes and India against Pakistan. They are the big earners and revenues in Test cricket are bigger.

‘England against South Africa and South Africa against Australia are not far behind.’