That is exactly the case with test cricket test where the administrators of the game are often reluctant to change the rules and format. While the other forms of cricket, namely one-day internationals and T-20 cricket, has seen a sea change, test cricket has remained largely unchanged, up until the third and final test between New Zealand and Australia which was a day-and-night match and played under flood-lights at the Adelaide Oval with a pink ball.
Test cricket which was going downhill as far as spectator interest was concerned has got a new lease of life. A crowd of 1,23,736 poured into the ground across the three days, and similarly there was a strong television audience. The attendance on the ground is the highest for any non-Ashes test matches played at the Adelaide Oval.
The experiment of day-and-night cricket was a huge success and, barring some criticism from traditionalists, is probably here to stay. There will be criticism against the change but then there was also criticism when one-day cricket commenced which was ultimately not only accepted but became a huge success.
In 1979, when the ICC and World Series Cricket came to an understanding, the first floodlit one day international was played, also in Australia. After that there was the T20 format that was introduced.
In October 2012, the International Cricket Council recast the playing conditions for Test matches, permitting day/night test matches. The first day/night test was played 36 years to the day from the first ICC sanctioned day night match. Be that as it may the first ever day-and-night test match turned out to be a cliff-hanger and the Australians won the match within three days, or rather three days and nights. Day-and night test cricket can be really exciting. The changes of the colour of the sky above is reminiscent of the changes the game of cricket is going through. It was a historic day for test cricket and the game of cricket as a whole. This step could help reinvigorate the test game after an unfortunate decline. Day and night test cricket certainly provides a new dimension for players, spectators, broadcasters and fans alike and it is here to stay. What will be the next big thing in test cricket? Will it be coloured clothing?
