Adelaide day-night Test: atmosphere, novelty make Test instant success, says Richard Hinds

AS Dennis Denuto might have argued, it was the anticipation, the atmosphere, the novelty ­and the vibe that made the day-night Test an instant success.

THE verdict in the case of the Pink Ball Test was handed down before opening arguments. Even arch traditionalists guiltily admitted their love for an event that transcended the game.

As ‘The Castle’s’ Dennis Denuto might have argued for the defence, it was the anticipation, the atmosphere, the excitement, the novelty ­and, yes, the vibe that made the day-night Test an overwhelming success in its initial stages.

But as Australia toiled after hours to eek out a dramatic three wicket victory, this Test suddenly meant much more than inflated gate returns or bumper TV audiences. The novelty of the opening days gave way to a palpable tension that only descends when there is something more important on the line – a Test match.

Accordingly, as Shaun Marsh restored Australia’s advantage and his reputation with an important 49, the conditions created by pink ball, lush deck and floodlight were no longer valued in dollar and cents and instead measured against their impact on the outcome.

Australia celebrates after Mitch Marsh removes Brendon McCullum. Picture: Sarah Reed

The conclusion? The manner of Australia’s victory was also a victory for day-night Test cricket. Had the home team folded completely under lights, the new conditions would have been lamented, perhaps even blamed – no matter that both teams batted at night with mixed success on the previous two days.

Instead Australia proved - only just - that you can successfully mount an awkward chase against a talented attack in a ‘60 Minutes’ timeslot. The game was played at night but the result was not perverted by it. (In Auckland the same will not be said of the DRS.)

It only lasted three days. A pink ball that can retain its lustre on a slightly drier and more abrasive pitch is now the Holy Grail of day-night Tests. But where the second Test in Perth died a slow death before a handful of family and friends Adelaide’s helter-skelter match rushed to its conclusion in front of a buzzing crowd eager for more.

More they will get. Brisbane seems set to become nocturnal. With Adelaide also under lights and the Perth time-zone, that would push three Tests into prime-time where the audience figures – a peak of 1.943 million viewers on Saturday night – have TV executives salivating.

Did Test cricket maintain its integrity after dark? The accentuated swing was obvious and Mitchell Santner might claim he dropped a simple chance from Steve Smith because of the unfamiliar pink ball. But there are uni students who blame their inedible cooking on the ingredients.

On ABC radio Chris Rogers revealed the assessment of his former teammates: ‘’Every now and then you get a ball you don’t see and that puts a bit of doubt in your mind.’’

More than ever the players’ voices must be heard on safety. But in the era of flat tracks and ballistic bats a batsman complaining about not seeing everything like a watermelon is like Bill Gates complaining about a parking ticket.

It should also be remembered World Series Cricket and its radical changes occurred because players were not paid fairly. Surely now they are paid a fortune they do not have the right to veto further changes on anything less than the most compelling grounds.

There was a rush to judgement of the first Pink Ball Test. The verdict stands. It is here to stay.

Originally published as Adelaide day-night Test: atmosphere, novelty make Test instant success, says Richard Hinds