The D/N Test matches have already been a rage and with just four games happening till date, there surely seems to be scope for more. The first ever Test played under lights was between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide – which Australia won in a tense chase. Since then, the buzz for this particular format has been sky high with viewers clearly supporting the idea.
Speaking in support of Pink Ball Tests is New Zealand’s captain and classy batsman Kane Williamson.
Williamson, who is currently leading the Black Caps against South Africa in a three-match home Test series, is of the view that D/N Tests deserve a special mention and must be closely tied with the Test format as a whole to maintain its relevance.
“You can’t help but enjoy day-night Tests. Having played in the first one – it was a very cool thing to be a part of,” Williamson said.
“At the same time, it’s a fine balance with trying to keep the purity and tradition of Test cricket, which I think is very important.
“And if you are introducing another dynamic to a format that has relatively been untouched then it’s very important that it remains very similar in terms of the day game and the night game within the format.”
“If you are making comparisons and there are ranking systems and a bunch of stats that people enjoy, then if the night format is harder or easier or whatever than the day one then it can be very difficult to make those comparisons with any real substance.
“It’s important that they get that right. It’s an exciting space to pursue and they are doing it, which I think is great for the game and a lot of people are watching it, but it is important that they get it very closely linked,” the elegant batsman added.
With New Zealand currently introducing Pink Ball Tests in its domestic structure, Williamson is eager to hear the feedback from local players.
“It will be interesting to hear back, what some of the feedback is from the Plunkett Shield. Playing in that first pink-ball Test match, we knew there were a few things that needed to be improved on and one of those being the ball. I think they have made a few adjustments on that,” he added.
“It was a great spectacle to be part of and it was a great crowd every day. There’s a lot of room for that innovation in the game.”