Australia may host day-night Tests in 2011

New Delhi:

A revolutionary research can soon make day-night Tests a reality and Australia is all excited to play the host by 2011.

According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald, day-night Test cricket could be played as early as 2011 in Australia after successful trials of a revolutionary new finish that allows the white leather ball to keep its colour.

If Rob Elliott, managing director of Kookaburra Sport, who supply Test balls to Australian cricket, is to be believed, the new finish does not let the ball to scuff or deteriorate as much.

"It's a real breakthrough for us. It can open a new vista for cricket as we know it with TV rights, sponsorships and new waves of support for cricket," Elliott said.

"If the players embrace the ball and the integrity of the game is unaffected, it's a win-win situation for everyone," Elliott said. "Because Test cricket has been played from basically 11 to 6[pm] for 130-odd years doesn't mean that administrators shouldn't explore their options. They've asked us to provide a ball which will stand up and still be seen and that's what we're looking to do.

"We would like some more time to present the best possible ball which does not compromise standards. Cricket administrators need to be patient. But we are definitely closer to what we want given the results of the last fortnight," he added.

Elliott also said white rather than pink balls appear best suited for night cricket. Venues like Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart, with their long twilights, are probably best suited. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in South Africa are also ideal.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland too sounded upbeat about the new revelation and said for years officials around the world had been searching for an alternative ball that acted, behaved and wore down like a traditional red ball.

"It's only early days with all the trialling, but there's no doubt we are looking to play Test cricket into the evenings so more can see it. We want to have more options and more flexibility with our scheduling. It's all about growing the game," he said.

Kookaburra said trials with the new-finish balls have raised hopes that the white ball, so successful at Twenty20 and 50-over levels, can now also last 80 overs.