Day-Night tests are SCHRÖDINGER’S cat.
Scene – 5 January 1971, the day which gave birth to a new form of cricket and a platform to many cricketing superstars. Australia and England played the first ever One Day International. ODI cricket turned out to be the most celebrated form of cricket and still remains to be one of the exciting forms of cricket. Cut; Scene – 17 February 2005, the day which reshaped and revived cricket; the cricket we know today. The first T20I was played between Australia and New Zealand. The match was more than just cricket. It was history, it was legendary, it was a birth. Cut; 10 years 8 months and 4 days later, scene – Australia and New Zealand take field of what could be another historical moment in cricket and could reshape and revive test cricket forever.
A cat enclosed in a box subjected to radioactive source and poison is considered both alive and dead simultaneously. A day-night test, once played, tested and observed is to be considered a success as well as a flop at the same time. Now, the question that rides the mind when pondering over day-night tests is “Is it a step back or a step forward?”. Cricket enthusiasts would love to be inclined towards the latter but, let’s analyse it.
Pink balls, coloured clothing, floodlights, are the data points concerned with day night tests. The red cherry has been into play since the beginning of cricket itself. The dynamics associated with the red ball has been long ago researched, mastered and employed by generations of cricketers. Now, as an athlete, it’s very difficult to adjust to changes of such dimensions. The major aspect of bowling that will be impacted is the swing, owing to difference in wind conditions during day and night as well as the change in ball.
The colour of the ball has always been the debate among cricketing circles. Again, that’ll only be put to rest once it is actually tested on the field.
What about us viewers? As if our biological sleep cycle hasn’t been already reversed due to smartphones, that the ICC decided to bring in day-night tests! Day-night tests mean those long nights or having to watch the highlights in the morning. However, the only advantage that would stand is that we Indians get to watch matches in Australia/New Zealand during our day time, isn’t it!! Theoretically speaking, the crowd in the stadium will be lessened further but then again, who knows!
Personally, I feel that it is going to be one of the bigger moments in cricketing history. It’ll probably take time to get embedded into the minds of cricketers as well as the viewers. I only sincerely hope that it fulfils the very purpose it is being incepted for. Tune in on November 27 to witness of what could very well be another moment in cricketing history.
