Cricket Australia hails day-night Test a success after historic Australia versus New Zealand clash

Updated

Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland says he will be pushing for more day-night Tests on the schedule after a fan survey showed strong support for the new format.

CA commissioned a survey of crowd members on the opening two days of the third Test in Adelaide between Australia and New Zealand last week, and on Tuesday the concept - using a pink ball and with the late sessions under lights - received stark support.

It was revealed that 85 per cent of participants supported the idea, which was introduced in an attempt to boost crowds and lift interest in the five-day fixtures.

Eighty-one per cent claimed that all Test matches at the ground should be day-nighters, while two thirds also said they would be more likely to attend twilight matches than daytime fixtures.

"We are constantly striving to give cricket fans what they want and as such, with the endorsement of visiting countries, we will seek to schedule more day-night Tests," Sutherland said in a statement.

"The experience in Adelaide last weekend demonstrates the huge potential the day-night format has in revitalising Test cricket all over the world."

The pink ball was also a winner with the fans, with two thirds of those surveying saying they found it easier to see than its red counterpart.

The 123,736 crowd figure also broke a record for non-Ashes Test matches at the ground, while the national television average of 2.34 million viewers who tuned in for the final session on day three on Sunday was also a record for any Test other than an Ashes fixture in Australia.

Sutherland said he now wanted the format played out elsewhere.

"I would strongly encourage other Test playing countries to enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to host their own day-night Test matches," he said.

"We believe that having the ability to move matches into the evening provides cricket fans with greater access to the game and there is no doubt that this will help grow interest in Test cricket."

AAP

Topics: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000

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