No use of flood lights during Test series

Hamilton:

The ICC Match Referee Allan Hurst on Wednesday ruled out 12 noon start in the last two Tests of three-match series between India and New Zealand as both the teams are reluctant to play under flood lights.

Hurst advised Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Daniel Vettori that lights will not be available after New Zealand and India indicated they prefer not to use them.

The series playing conditions allow the use of lights where available but only if agreed by the teams.

The Seddon Park, venue for the first Test in Hamilton and McLean Park, Napier venue for the third Test from March 26 have the flood lights facility.

New Zealand Cricket had also stated yesterday they will stick to the original start time of 1100 hrs (local time).

"It will be very different for us. Playing at night it seems like. It will go on till don't know what time. That will be definitely difficult. I have not played any Test that starts at 12. It is definitely a bit of concern," Dhoni had said at the pre-match media briefing.