Adelaide to host the first day-night Test match
The plan which was long thought of was implemented once the New Zealand cricket board agreed to play under flood lights.
While the New Zealand players have admitted to be nervous about this, they have also come out in support.
Cricket Australia Chief James Sutherland was quoted by the cricket.com.au as saying, "One of the global challenges with Test cricket is that most of the matches outside holiday periods are played on week days, in the middle of the day when people are at work and kids are at school."
"By shifting the playing times each day's play can go into the evening and allow people to come in after work or after school to attend the last few hours of play, but also when they get home in other parts of the world or other parts of the country, they can watch the game on TV."
His Kiwi counterpart David White termed the day-night Test match as 'another step forward in the evolution of the game'.
White said, "Since the first Test in 1877 there have been numerous changes to the laws and rules in an effort to ensure the game remains relevant – and this is another. As administrators we owe it to the game to keep exploring ways of moving forward."
Apart from the floodlights another significant change in the game will be the use of a 'pink' ball.
Though Australia have already experimented with it in their domestic league, it is a first for an ICC mainstream match.
Earlier, former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid had played a match with the pink ball and urged the ICC to go forward with the plan.
Sutherland said that he and his team members were working closely with the ball manufacturers to provide quality cricketing experience.
"We've worked very closely with the Australian Cricketers' Association and Kookaburra in the development of the ball and its continued upgrade to make it ready."
New Zealand will also be playing unofficial matches under lights with the pink ball before the third Test begins.
"We'll make sure that the players from both teams are well prepared. We're working really closely with New Zealand Cricket in giving them the right tour matches and preparation before the ultimate day-night Test which is the last of the series," Sutherland said.
"And similarly with our players. A number of our players have already had experience through Shield cricket."
"But those that haven't, we'll be finding opportunities for them to play with the pink balls and also to play under lights as well."
The day-night Test match is expected to raise the viewership ratings.
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