Incoming Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts has raised the possibility of Melbourne's Boxing Day Test becoming a day-night clash.
Upon his confirmation in the top job on Wednesday, Roberts was asked about his thoughts on turning the traditional day clash at the MCG into a pink-ball Test.
While he said the event remained a success as is, Roberts, 46, said it was a case of "never say never" when it came to having it shown during prime time, when new broadcasters Channel Seven and Fox Sports could reap greater advertising spoils.
"I am a fan of all formats of the game, for different reasons. I have grown up with Test cricket, I love the dynamism of T20 cricket and I loved playing 50-over cricket," the former Australian under-19 and NSW first-class batsman said.
Incoming Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts.
Photo: AAP
"Day-night Test cricket is something that the community has embraced. The Boxing Day Test thrives as a day game at the moment, but never say never. Who knows what the future may hold in terms of day-night Test cricket at the MCG?"
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There are no immediate plans for change but Roberts' comments come as CA's contract with the Melbourne Cricket Club expires after this season. As revealed by Fairfax Media this week, discussions between CA and the MCC, the MCG's ground manager, have opened. The MCC is understood to be open to a day-night Test it but it is CA that has the final say.
Pink-ball Tests have lost their appeal in the past year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India rejected CA's request to have the Adelaide Test this summer remain a day-night affair, fearing it gave the host nation an unfair advantage. The BCCI has also rejected staging a night Test on home soil.
The Pakistan Cricket Board opted against staging a day-night Test against Australia in Dubai this month, believing the night-time dew made it harder for their spinners to grip the ball.
Ashes Tests at the MCG and when India are in town are traditionally well attended, particularly for the opening three days, but other nations generally struggle to attract a strong crowd from day two.
What will help CA fixture day-night Tests is an expected ruling when the new Future Tours Program is enacted giving the host nation sole discretion on whether a pink-ball clash is scheduled. Under the current ruling, a host nation needs approval from the visiting nation.
A day-night Test would clash with the timing of a Big Bash League match on the eastern seaboard but that would not be the case if a match was scheduled in Perth.
As Roberts takes charge at a difficult time in CA's history, CA chairman David Peever confirmed the year-long suspensions to Steve Smith and David Warner for their part in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa would stand. There has been a private push among former players for the bans to be cut, so the pair could return this summer.
Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
