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Morgan makes day-night Test claims
Cricket, 10:59, December 17, 2009 ,
International Cricket Council president David Morgan says he would 'be surprised' if day-night Tests are not being played by 2012.
Morgan has spoken out about the possibility after Australia and India revealed that they would like to boost the appeal of Test matches in the same way the one-day and Twenty20 formats of the game have caught on. And that would involve playing Tests under floodlights in the very near future.
The MCC's annual season curtain-raiser against the county champions will be played in Abu Dhabi under floodlights, and with the players wearing white clothing and using a pink ball, from 29 March. If a following trial spell is successful then that could speed up the process to introduce day-night Test cricket.
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 in England."
"I'd be surprised if we don't see day-night Test cricket within two years."
Morgan added: "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."