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(Sports) Roundup: Day-night cricket concept a big hit with fans: Cricket Australia survey

Xinhua, December 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Cricket fans who witnessed the historic day-night Test in Adelaide, Australia, first hand have given the concept their seal of approval and are keen to see more, according to Cricket Australia (CA).

The first ever day-night Test, which moved the playing hours from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.- 9.30 p.m., drew a positive response from fans who took a CA-supplied survey at the Adelaide Oval.

The results of the survey were released on Tuesday following Australia's three wicket win over New Zealand in the Third Test, which drew a non-Ashes record crowd of 123,736 spectators over the three days.

Around 85 percent of attendees over the first two days of the Test endorsed the day-night concept, while 81 percent wanted all future Adelaide Tests to be played under lights.

The idea also proved a massive drawcard for those watching on television at home, with the national TV audience peaking at 3.19 million viewers, the CA statement read.

CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the results reflected the "huge potential" the idea could have in "revitalizing" the five-day Test format, which has suffered with the rise of shorter versions of the game such as one-day (50 overs) and Twenty-20 (20 overs) cricket.

"We are delighted that so many have embraced the day-night Test concept," Sutherland said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Of those surveyed, two thirds said they would prefer to attend a day-night Test match ahead of the conventional, day formatted structure.

The innovative features of day-night Test cricket, not least of which is the purpose-built pink ball, also proved a hit with fans, with almost half of spectators saying the novelty of the concept had an impact on their decision to attend the momentous occasion.

The CA survey also contradicted views from fans, who attended domestic trials of the pink ball in the Sheffield Shield, that it was difficult to see. The survey, perhaps unsurprisingly, claimed two thirds of spectators in Adelaide actually found the pink ball easier to see.

At the weekend, Sutherland put forward the possibility of a second day-night Test next summer and urged next year's touring teams, Pakistan and South Africa, to keep an open mind.

"We are constantly striving to give cricket fans what they want and as such, with the endorsement of visiting countries, we will seek to schedule more day-night Tests," he said.

"I would strongly encourage other Test playing countries to enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to host their own day-night Test matches."

On Monday, Australian spin-king Shane Warne called on CA to deliver the concept to a Melbourne audience as soon as this year's Boxing Day Test against the West Indies. Enditem