Hardik’s rise will make India prosper in day-night Tests
Three games, culminating in a trio of enthralling contests at the Adelaide Oval, confirms that daynight Tests have successfully passed the experimental stage.
Apart from the financial bonanza, with around 200,000 fans attending the match, the hybrid game is exactly the shotin-the-arm Test cricket needs.
The fact that two entirely different sets of conditions prevail in one day’s play, opens the door to various tactical options. Anything that exercises the imagination of a captain is good for Test cricket and is just the sort of impetus the longer game requires to ensure its survival.
In addition, the nature of the pitches required for day-night Tests, with a little bit of extra grass coverage to preserve the ball, also provides encouragement for bowlers. The best Test cricket occurs when the contest between batsman and bowler is finely balanced.
As we witnessed at the Adelaide Oval, enforcing the follow-on is an option when the bowlers can capitalise on a session under lights. Steve Smith adopted the prevailing wisdom and ignored the tactical advantages of en forcing the follow-on but the presence of a good all-rounder in his side may have changed that decision.
This raises the question whether selectors should tailor some of their choices to ma xi mi se possible tactical opportunities in day-night fixtures. One thing is certain, a balanced attack is a must in order to fully capitalise on the varying conditions.
If the day-night Test match does become more widely accepted then the teams best placed to prosper are Australia, India and South Africa.
Australia already has a wellbalanced attack and theaddition of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh - if he succeeds - will give Smith an ideal combination for any conditions, day or night.
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India’s improved fast bowling stocks and the emergence of allrounder Hardik Pandya means Virat Kohli has plenty of firepower to aim at the opposition in a variety of conditions.
South Africa has never been short of talented fast bowlers and a Dale Steyn resurgence would ensure their current stocks are boosted. They have an added bonus over previous Protea teamsin that Keshav Maharaj is a wily spinner with loads of tal- ent. As England showed in Adelaide they have the pace bowling to prosper under lights and the addition of Ben Stokes will help immensely. Where England fall down is with the ineffectiveness of Moe en Ali and they really need to find a front-line spinner quickly.
Originally the dramatic change in conditions under lights was seen as an impediment to day-night games becoming more prevalent.
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However, as the game evolves, it’s easy to see how that’s really a reason to schedule more matches under lights.
The selection of teams, the possibility of en forcing the follow-on and strategic alterations to the batting order are just a few ways these contests can add to the tactical intrigue.
Changing the batting order in certain circumstances to try and minimise any damage at night could see a return to the times when that occurred in an attempt to overcome the dampness of uncovered pitches.
Anyone citing statistical concerns over moves to play more Test sat night should note that no adjustments were adopted to account for the change to covered pitches.
It’s true that day-night Tests are not for all venues. The dew factor and standard of lighting have to be taken into account and contests like the Boxing Day and Lord’s Test are already successful and probably don’t need a light power boost.
Nevertheless with sensible scheduling - a welcome addition to the calendar - a sprinkling of day-night matches could help revitalise Test cricket.
Adelaide has led the way and is reaping the early adoption rewards as the day-night capital of Test cricket.
If that success is built on by other countries then Adelaide can rightfully take a bow a shaving helped a form of the game that has always been dear to the City’ s heart.
WITH SENSIBLE SCHEDULING, A SPRINKLING OF DAYNIGHT MATCHES COULD HELP REVITALISE TEST CRICKET.