The right to stage the historic first day-night Test match in November next year has narrowed to one of either Adelaide Oval or Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

Talks in Melbourne last week between Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland and his counterpart at New Zealand Cricket, David White, have progressed plans for the match – using a pink ball – to be a feature of the Black Caps’ 2015-16 tour of Australia.

While further trials on the development of the ball to more closely mirror the characteristics and behaviour of the red ball currently used for Test matches will continue, both parties are supportive of the innovation and its clear benefits.

While Sutherland reiterated there was no suggestion Australia’s marquee Boxing Day or New Year Test matches would shift to a day-night format given they are staged at the peak of holiday season, other Test scheduled when fans have work and school commitments would become more accessible.

Data that shows the Australian summer’s regular Perth Test, which screens until around 9pm in the eastern states, rates around 40 per cent higher on television than other matches played at a similar time of year.

“We believe that’s evidence in itself that we’ll get greater viewership and more opportunities for people to attend,” Sutherland said.

It’s that broadened commercial appeal – particularly in matches played in NZ where a later start would enhance the value of its broadcast value in other world markets – coupled with the boost it could provide for Test cricket that its proponents believe outweigh the concerns of Test cricket traditionalists,

“I don’t think we’re ever going to get to a stage where everyone is completely satisfied or comfortable with it,” Sutherland said.

“But I think if we go back 30-odd years in time when the first every day-night one-day internationals were played I’m sure there was that same level of trepidation among some stakeholders including players about things like day-night cricket and white balls.

“What we are conscious of is that we are operating a business in the entertainment sector and we are looking to create as many opportunities as possible for our fans to engage with our sport.

“And we’re also conscious that in various parts of the world Test cricket needs a little bit of a boost and a bit of a leg up, so if this innovation can progress the strength the Test cricket then we’re doing world cricket a tremendous service.

“If there are things we can do to make Test cricket more popular that has to be our ultimate aim because the last we want is to see Test cricket withering on the vine.”

White added: “People have talked about messing with the traditions of Test cricket, but since it was first played in (1877) there’s been significant changes – covered pitches, fielding restrictions, over limits, introduction of helmets, change in the no-ball law etc.

“I think as administrators we must keep evolving and improving the game for our stakeholders – we need to be mindful of change but keep an open mind on these things.”

Following last summer’s round of day-night Bupa Sheffield Shield matches played in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, another round of fixtures will be played early next summer at Adelaide, Hobart and Perth.

The timing of those matches will better replicate the planned first day-night Test in November.

Sutherland confirmed that Perth was not in calculations to host that match because of the time it would finish on the eastern seaboard, and Brisbane’s ‘Gabba had been discounted because its lighting boasts a slightly lower intensity than other Australian Test grounds.

Which leaves Adelaide and Hobart as the potential venues for the world’s first day-night Test,

Sutherland said the International Cricket Council’s support for the concept and the flexibility it has allowed for participants to tweak playing conditions meant the final details of the match timing were yet to be finalised.

But it was expected to finish around 9.30pm, with the possibility of having two-30 minute breaks in play rather than the traditional 40 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for tea.

While CA will continue to examine the suitability of the pink Kookaburra balls, Sutherland indicated they would also examine the properties of Duke balls that have been trialled in four-day day-night matches played in the Caribbean and in games staged by the Marylebone Cricket Club for the past five years in the UAE.

The fact that a majority of Australia’s international players were not available to take part in last summer’s Shield trials means they will have had limited exposure to playing with pink balls under day-night conditions in the longer form of the game.

Pink balls will also be trialled in NZ this summer, though it’s unlikely to be at first-class level, as NZ Cricket looks to ascertain the best venue and time of year (allowing for the significantly higher evening dew factor in that country) to host their own day-night Test in the future.

In addition, NZ Cricket has indicated they would request one or two warm-up matches played under similar conditions prior to the first day-night Test in Australia next year to enable their players to get a feel for the changed conditions.

Consultation will also continue with both nations’ players’ associations, the ICC, fans and broadcasters to ensure the best possible product is delivered, although Channel Nine has already voiced its support for the innovative concept.

“We of course share the excitement of both Cricket Australia and our friends in New Zealand about day-night Test cricket,” Nine Entertainment Co Chief Executive Officer David Gyngell said today.

“It’s something we’ve all kicked around for a considerable period and the time feels right to take the next step.

“Nine has had a long and proud record as a lead innovator in cricket coverage, and we look forward to playing our part in what could well be a critical new direction in the course of our great game”.