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ICC mulls night tests to lure crowds

Source: Agencies | January 3, 2009, Saturday | Print Edition

THE International Cricket Council's chief says dwindling attendance at test matches could speed up the possibility of day-night fixtures, if a suitable ball could be developed.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, speaking at a press conference in Perth, Australia, yesterday to mark the council's 100th anniversary, endorsed a call by Cricket Australia head James Sutherland for day-night tests in an effort to improve attendance and television ratings.

"The lack of crowd attendance at many grounds around the globe is a cause for concern," Lorgat said. "In that was the possibility of exploring day-night cricket because there is no doubt James Sutherland has put that on the table.

"We all know the technical difficulties on that. If that's an answer to ensuring the status it has because it's a better time proposition, then I would be in favor of it."

The main technical difficulty is the ball. Wear on the ball is a key factor in tests, and day-night tests would need to find a method to replicate the wear when switching from a red ball during the day to a white ball at night, or develop a ball that was equally visible in day and night sessions.

ICC President David Morgan meanwhile defended the ICC's desire for Zimbabwe Cricket Union Chairman Peter Chingoka to attend this month's council meeting in Perth. Chingoka, a supporter of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, has been banned from visiting Australia by the federal government as part of sanctions against the Mugabe government.

"We're hopeful that Peter Chingoka, the chairman of ZCU, will be given a visa to attend the meetings in Perth," Morgan said. "Simply for the Perth meetings. Mr. Chingoka was allowed into the UK on two occasions after initial application was put on hold. We're making strenuous efforts to try to ensure a visa will be made available for this specific purpose."

Meanwhile, England and India cricket officials are reportedly close to an agreement which could lead to the return of a five-test series between the two teams and even Indian Premier League matches being played at English venues.

Reports in both countries say there is a closer relationship between the two cricket federations since England returned to India after the Mumbai terror attacks in November to play two test matches.

The last two games in the one-day series between the two teams were abandoned after the attacks, which killed 164 people, and England flew home. But Kevin Pietersen's team returned just over a week later to play tests in Chennai and Mohali, with India winning the series 1-0.

According to the Guardian newspaper, England and India hope to announce a groundbreaking agreement after further talks later this month which could lead to changes at both test and Twenty20 levels.

The newspaper said the agreement would lead to IPL matches being played in England, where there is a huge following of fans, and a five-test series for the first time since England toured India in 1984-85.

The England and Wales Cricket Board would also remove its restriction that English players are only be available for two weeks of the IPL season, which runs during April and May.
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