Hardik’s rise will make India prosper in day-night Tests
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 enforcing 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 maximise 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 the addition of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh - if he succeeds - will give Smith an ideal combination for any conditions, day or night.
PLENTY OF OPTIONS 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 teams in that Keshav Maharaj is a wily spinner with loads of talent. 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 Moeen 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.
MORE D/N GAMES 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 enforcing 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 Tests at 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 as having 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.