BCCI and Cricket Australia divided over staging of day-night Test in Adelaide

Cricket Australia (CA) recently announced the schedule of their home season in which India are set to visit the country in November later this year. Virat Kohli and his men will play 3 T20Is and the same number of ODIs before the focus shifts to the four-match Test series. But the BCCI and CA are left divided over the staging of day-night Test which has been the part of Australia’s summer since 2015. However, the CEO of CA James Sutherland believes that Team India are focussed only on winning the series and not the future of the game.

While almost all the Test playing nations apart from Afghanistan and Ireland have played at least a Test match under the lights. But India have continued to be refuse playing with the Pink ball and the format is still under trial in the domestic circuit. Moreover, in the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner this summer, India has a great chance of winning their first-ever Test series Down Under.

CA not happy

Cricket Australia (CA) might have got irritated with the constant denial of the BCCI to play Day-Night Test as James Sutherland has come out with a statement in which he believes it is CA’s prerogative to decide on the issue. “I think personally the home country should have the right to schedule matches as it sees fit and start them at whatever time of day they want,” he told SEN Radio. He also went on to say that India are only thinking of winning the series against Australia and doesn’t want to give them any advantage by playing under the lights.

“India may or may not come around to that idea for this tour but I still believe it’s the way of the future. I think everyone in world cricket knows that. To be frank, I think they want to come out here and beat us. There’s a sense, or a reality, that Australia has won each of the pink-ball Test matches that have played in Australia and there may be a sense that it gives us a bit of an advantage,” Sutherland added.

CoA chief opens up on the issue

The chief of Committee of Administrator (CoA) Vinod Rai has again made it clear that the Day-Night Test will not take place on the tour. He also believed that the debate should not damage the relationship between the two boards. “I don’t think BCCI’s stand will change. As it has already been decided, Day/Night pink ball matches will continue at the first-class level. Duleep Trophy will be played under lights once again,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

“I don’t see this as a reason for friction (between boards). Playing condition is something that both the boards sit and decide upon. Obviously whatever happens is agreed mutually. But let me make it clear once again, there won’t be any pink ball Test involving India,” Rai added.

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