We need to look at playing more day-night Tests: Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen, the former England cricketer, has batted for more day-night Tests, keeping in mind the entertainment factor. His comments came after England’s away series against South Africa that the visitors won 3-1. The 39-year-old was amazed by the difference in crowd engagement in the Tests and the T20Is that followed. Pietersen didn’t find enough support for the hosts in the Tests.

The abject crowd presence during the Tests has concerned Pietersen, who reckons that Test cricket needs to be taken to the position it belongs. Pietersen wants more pink-ball Tests as he believes that it gives the crowd an opportunity to complete their chores of the day and come to the grounds.

“We need to look at playing a lot more day-night Tests so that people can finish work and come to the ground. As one of the best players in the world you want to play in front of full houses, and they don’t get to do that at the moment,” Pietersen was quoted as saying in Betway.

Pay the players more and play matches at a better time, says Kevin Pietersen

The former Englishman also had a few suggestions for the International Cricket Council (ICC) on how to restore the sanity of Test cricket. The cricketer turned commentator feels that the ticket prices need to be cut down and the players should to be paid more.

Pietersen fears that the lure of T20 cricket is taking the focus away from Test cricket from the youngsters. The South Africa-born mentioned that the day-night Tests should have fireworks, music in order to keep the crowd engaged. Moreover, he urged the ICC to re-think the timings of  Tests.

“Specific Test matches like Newlands, or Melbourne and Sydney are OK and in England Test cricket is supported really well. But look at all other Tests. The Johannesburg match was poorly supported as people are working and can’t watch the cricket, he stated.

“With day-night cricket you can bring the kinds in for the second session, you can have fireworks, music and entertainment, and the players would need to adapt. Pay the players more and play matches at a better time then everybody will commit to the format much more,” Kevin added.