Players remain split on D/N Tests

Two of the biggest names in world cricket have thrown their support behind day-night Test cricket, but one of Australia's leading players remains wary about the quality of the pink Kookaburra ball.

England's Stuart Broad and West Indian Chris Gayle on Friday both vocalised their excitement about Test cricket being played under lights, following the success of the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide last year.

Broad, England's third-most prolific Test wicket-taker, said he was enthusiastic about the possibility of playing an Ashes Test under lights in Australia in the 2017-18 summer.

Quick Single: Smith keen for Proteas D/N Test

His comments come as reports emerged that the England and Wales Cricket Board were in discussions about hosting a pink-ball Test in 2017, possibly at Lord’s.

"I'd love to (play) ... that looks a spectacular showpiece really, doesn't it?" Broad told Omnisport.

"The sun setting over Adelaide with the pink ball, watching on TV, it looked brilliant.

"I know that some positive feedback has come back from the players as well, so I hope, for sure, that the next time we tour Australia, we play a day-night Test match.

"What a special moment that could be, in a player's career and a supporter's career.

"We know how well we are supported when we travel Down Under and, as a supporter, being able to witness a day-night Test would be great.

"And I think it worked really well, it attracted crowds later in the evening."

The inaugural day-night Test last summer was a commercial success, with more than 120,000 fans pouring through the gates in just three days and an average of more than two million people watching on television.

The event also had the full backing of cricket fans; in a cricket.com.au poll conducted in the aftermath of the match, an overwhelming 82 per cent of the more than 237,000 respondents voted in favour of more day-night Test cricket.

Quick Single: Steyn would 'love' to play a D/N Test

The first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane this summer will be played under lights, while Cricket Australia is hoping to convince South Africa that the third Test of their series in November in Adelaide should also be played with a pink ball.

While Broad is enthusiastic about the concept of floodlit Test matches, Australia opener David Warner said the pink ball used for day-night Tests remains a work in progress.

Warner said he is supportive of the concept of Tests under lights but repeated the concerns of some players that the visibility and durability of the ball is vastly different from the traditional red ball.

Quick Single: Players concerned about pink balls

The left-hander, who managed scores of 1 and 35 in the pink-ball Test against New Zealand last summer, said the ball was at its most difficult to see in the twilight period of the evening.

"The concept is fantastic and it is a great spectacle but for those of us who play it, the most important thing is getting the ball right,” Warner told The Australian.

"It’s always going to be an issue because it is not a red ball. You can’t shine it up like you do a red ball and Test cricket has always been about using the red ball properly when you’re in the field.

"Looking after it to get swing is a key and we can’t do that with a pink ball because it will not shine up.

"It’s still hard to see during the twilight period. The guys on the side boundaries have trouble picking it up. You have to get that right.

"With the ball they used last year, there was no chance of seeing the seam. If you’re a batsman it is critical to be able to see the seam as it gets closer to you so you can work out which way it is going to swing."

The pink ball used for the day-night Test last November, which had a predominantly green seam, was different to the one with a black seam that was used in a round of the Sheffield Shield earlier this year.

While reports were positive about the new black seam, players were concerned about the overall performance of the balls used during that Shield round.

Cricket Australia's Executive General Manager of High Performance Pat Howard says CA would continue to work with manufacturers in order to improve the pink ball.

"I’m not sure it went backwards but we didn’t go forwards, would be my view," Howard told News Ltd last month of the Shield round in February.

"We’re going to have to continue to improve. I’ve talked to the ACA (Australian Cricketers Association) and Steve Smith about this. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times recently while he’s been in India.

"We’ve absolutely got to be of the position that we’ve got to continually improve and every time we play with any type of ball that we continue to find a way to make it better and to give everyone confidence around it.

"Making sure the fans can get Test match cricket outside of work hours, I think everyone is over the line on that.

"Playing Australia is always going to be a big series no matter (which country) it is. I think your next challenge obviously is to make sure (the players) have as much confidence in the pink ball as they do in the red ball."

Gayle, who hasn't played Test cricket since 2014, said day-night Tests could help revive the five-day game.

"It's going to be different for the fans, (but) I don't see any reason why the concept can't take off and be as successful as the shorter forms of the game," Gayle said.

Several other nations have flagged their intentions to follow Australia's lead and host a day-night Test of their own either this year or in 2017.

Quick Single: Four nations keen to host D/N Tests

India are reportedly keen to host a Test under lights against NZ this year and one against Australia next year, while Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh are considering following suit.

And on Friday, The Times reported that the ECB were holding discussions about possibly staging a day-night Test at Lord’s against the West Indies next year.

Broad said while day-night Tests were an exciting step forward, they might not be quite as effective in English conditions.

"I think Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean, these are the places where it can work," he added.

"England might get a bit too cold later in the summer, you'd have to get the weather perfect for it, but what a great initiative and what a great spectacle."