Cricket Australia plans for future day-night Tests

With a crowd of 120,000 attending the first day-night Test played under lights at Adelaide Oval, Cricket Australia is keen to continue future Test matches under lights.

After uncertainty over the day-night format and the use of the pink ball, both were well received at both the venue and by television viewers in Australia and around the world.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland explained that prior to the Test "I was probably more nervous before a Test Match than I have been for a long time.”

Speaking to ABC Grandstand before the second day's play, Sutherland explained “obviously it is about access for fans and I think we saw that, 47,000 (on the first day) is more people than have ever come to the Adelaide Oval for cricket in the modern age since Bodyline.

“That's a glowing endorsement (and we have had) great feedback (with) messages coming saying it was a great innovation, it will be great for the game, and well done on what has happened.”

Concerns that the different ball and the different ground conditions would affect the integrity of the contest did not eventuate with the match crowd of 123,736 representing  all-time Adelaide Oval record for a non-Ashes Test, despite the fact that the game lasted only three days of its allocated five days.

Commenting on the preparations, Sutherland added “we (needed) to make sure we got the conditions right for it. But in this day and age you like to think that curators can get that right and we are sophisticated enough to be able to do it."

That was the case at Adelaide, with the well-grassed pitch and square not only making sure the ball stayed in excellent condition through the full duration of each innings, but that the match was much more of a contest between bat and ball than either daytime Test at Brisbane or Perth.

Sutherland confirmed that the success so far had all but ensured that there will more pink-ball contests next summer, possibly one apiece against South Africa and Pakistan, with a broadening of the venues.

Sutherland suggested that the upgraded lighting at The Gabba in Brisbane would make that venue a suitable host.

He added “I would have thought a balmy Queensland evening at this time of year would be a really great place to be watching the cricket."

19th September 2015 - THE GABBA COULD MISS OUT ON FUTURE TEST MATCHES TO ADELAIDE AND PERTH

1st July 2015 - ADELAIDE OVAL TO HOST HISTORIC FIRST DAY-NIGHT TEST

27th October 2014 - ADELAIDE OVAL GETS OFFICIAL OPENING AS 53,000 WATCH THE ROLLING STONES

3rd May 2011 - SACA MEMBERS VOTE FOR ADELAIDE OVAL UPGRADE