In the pink — Eden Park or not

New Zealand Cricket are determined to host England in a pink ball test next summer — and are prepared to take the second match away from Eden Park if there are significant obstacles in the way.

As it stands, the two tests on England’s visit in February-March are set down for Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, which doesn’t have lights, and Eden Park, which has only hosted two tests since 2006 — a thrilling draw, which went to the last ball with England nine down in 2013, and a gripping win against India in February 2014.

However, there are major problems using Eden Park, in residential central Auckland, at night.

There are significant resource consent issues. For all the rugby and cricket events staged under lights at the ground, it has never been a fixture there on a Sunday night.

NZC’s problem is if the Sunday night situation can’t be over-turned, they would have to play a test there during the week, rather than incorporating a potentially spectatorfriendly Sunday.

However, it is understood NZC won’t abandon pink ball plans for the sake of keeping the test at Eden Park. That brings Hamilton’s Seddon Park and, a long shot, Wellington’s Westpac Stadium into the picture.

England are facing the prospect of playing three day-night tests in eight months — against the West Indies at Edgbaston in August, the second Ashes test in Adelaide just before Christmas and then in New Zealand.

And New Zealand are in contention to be invited to visit India twice later this year — first on an A tour around September, then a few weeks later for a series of ODI and T20 internationals.

New Zealand were in India late last year, losing their test series 3-0.

India are due to host Pakistan at the end of this year but that visit is unlikely to take place.

The countries haven’t met in any bilateral matches, that is, outside International Cricket Council multiteam events, since January 2013.

India would therefore need a replacement to fill the gap and it’s understood the Black Caps are prominent on their radar. ICE HOCKEY