1 pink-ball Ashes Test is enough, says Smith

BRISBANE, Australia, Dec 14, (AFP): Australia captain Steve Smith threw his support behind next year’s day-night Ashes Test against England on Wednesday -- but said one was enough for the series.

Both Smith and his England counterpart Alastair Cook had previously called for the Ashes Tests, which have no problem attracting fans, to keep their traditional timing.

The Aussie skipper had no reservations after the announcement that Adelaide would host the first ever pink-ball Ashes Test, but he said one game under floodlights was enough.

“I’m happy with just the one,” said Smith, ahead of Thursday’s series opener against Pakistan, which will be the maiden day-night Test at Brisbane’s Gabba ground.

“I think crowds, TV ratings and things like that are never an issue in the Ashes.

“You can just look and see how the last two Adelaide Tests have gone, they’ve been great spectacles, just good games of cricket.

“I think it’s great that we’re going to play an Ashes pink-ball Test there next year. “I’m happy for it to just stay with one.” Australia hosted the first day-night Test, using a pink ball for better visibility under floodlights, in Adelaide last year in what turned out to be a groundbreaking success for the flagging, five-day format.

Australia also played South Africa under lights in their recent Test series, and Pakistan faced the West Indies in a day-night Test in Dubai in October.