Jimmy’s in the pink over day/night match

BOWLING ACE LOOKING FORWARD TO EXCITING WEEK FOR RED ROSE

JIMMY Anderson believes this week’s round of day/night County Championship games is exciting for the sport.

Lancashire will face Warwickshire at Edgbaston starting today, with play beginning at 2pm, lunch at 4pm, tea at 6.40pm and close around 10pm.

Pink balls will be used, and with England set for a day/night Test later this summer against the West Indies at Edgbaston, most of England’s centrally contracted players have been made available – including Anderson and Jos Buttler.

Day/night cricket could become a regular occurrence, especially in Test matches where the governing body are looking to boost the game around the world in the face of falling attendances.

“It is an exciting week because it is something we haven’t done before,” said England ace Anderson. “It will be interesting to see if we get a bigger crowd or if there will be extra interest in it.

“There is a case for it happening more and more around the world, although I am not sure England is the place for it, mainly because of the light situation – the floodlights won’t really be used this week because it will still be light until after 9pm – but also because we sell out most Test matches here.

“But everyone is buying into it, they aren’t rebelling against it. People realise something needs to be done, especially with regard to Tests.”

After beating Hampshire to record back-to-back Championship wins on Thursday, most of the Lancashire squad held a net session out in the middle at Emirates Old Trafford using the pink balls, and were due to net again last night at Edgbaston.

“I have no experience with pink balls,” said Anderson.

“For me, with the West Indies Test being at Edgbaston too, it will be a great chance to get used to it.

“I don’t think the batsmen are hugely in favour of it. For me, it looks a nice ball to bowl with.

“All the reports I’ve head of day/ night Test matches are that the twilight periods are difficult to bat in, but whether that will happen in England where it stays light until 9.30ish – I’m not sure the lights will have much affect.

“It will just be a case if the ball does more than the red ball.

“But I don’t think the ball will be too different than anything I have bowled with before. It is the same size and same weight. They are made slightly differently, it may stay harder for longer, which makes it more difficult for the batsmen.”

Lancashire will have Haseeb Hameed back after he missed the Hampshire win because he was on England Lions duty. Liam Livingstone will play on the first two days before he joins up with the England Lions for a four-day game with South Africa. Lancashire will be able to name a replacement for the second two days.