Uncertainty looms as BCCI not ‘keen’ on daynight Test during Oz tour

: There is uncertainty over India playing a day-night Test against Australia during the 2018-19 season with unconfirmed reports stating that the BCCI is opposed to the idea.

Australia are due to play six Tests in the upcoming season with four of them against India and two against Sri Lanka. India are among the few nations who are yet to play a day-night Test while Australia have played four till date, emerging victorious in all of them.

“Each time we play in Adelaide, in Brisbane, it further reinforces that this is the future, daynight Test cricket is here to stay,” Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“It’s a different-coloured ball, and perhaps it does play differently. Everyone has to face up to those conditions, no matter what they are, and I think everyone’s got their head around that now. As we’ve discussed at ICC level, it’s very much in the hands of the home country to make judgments on what they think is best,” he stated.

Cricket.com.au cited a report where an unnamed source had stated that India did not wish to play a day-night Test. According to laws, while a home board has the liberty to choose venues, start times and brand of balls , the visiting team has to agree before playing a day-night Test.

According to section 12.7.12 of the ICC’s Playing Conditions, the law states: “Home Boards may, prior to the commencement of a Test, and with the agreement of the Visiting Board, seek the approval of the ICC to play the match as a day/night Test.”

However, according to the report, the source is quoted as saying: “There’s no need for any practice either because India is neither going to play the Adelaide Test under lights nor any (such matches) in the future.”