Ahead of England's inaugural day-night Test against West Indies at Edgbaston this Thursday, we take a look at the first four pink-ball Tests from around the world
First four pink-ball Tests in history
After the ICC paved the way for member nations to stage day-night Test matches in a bid to improve the popularity of the longest form of the game, Australia made history at Adelaide Oval when they hosted New Zealand in the first ever pink-ball Test.
Since then, matches have been held in Adelaide, Brisbane and Dubai. Here's a look back at international cricket's four day-night Test matches to date:
1) Australia v New Zealand
3rd Test, Adelaide, November 2015
Brendan McCullum won the toss and had no hesitation batting first in the beautiful Adelaide sunshine. It was going to be a day and night of firsts, with the first ball in the unprecedented format delivered by Mitchell Starc to Martin Guptill, who was solid in defense. New Zealand struggled to build momentum in their first innings and were dismissed in the 66th over with all four of Australia's quicks taking wickets. The Aussies had to face a nervous night session late on day one and lost two early wickets, but skipper Steve Smith steadied the ship to remain 24 not out. Half-centuries to Smith (53) and Peter Neville (66) ensured the hosts held a 22-run first-innings advantage. New Zealand's top-order again failed to fire, Aussie quick Josh Hazelwood destroying the visitors with an inspired spell of 6-70. David Warner then blasted 35 from 37 balls to get the Aussies off to the perfect start before Shaun Marsh (49) ensured the hosts won the inaugural day-night Test. A total of 123,736 people attended Adelaide Oval over the three days.
2) Pakistan v West Indies
1st Test, Dubai, October 2016
In stark contrast to the Adelaide day-night Test, batting appeared very simple with the pink ball in Dubai. Azhar Ali made a masterful triple century as the hosts scored 3-579(dec) from 155.3 overs. After a long stint in the field, the West Indies batters acquitted themselves nicely, posting 357 thanks largely to half-centuries from Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels. Pakistan looked a different team in their second innings, dismissed for a miserly 123 runs thanks to the leg-spinning exploits of Devendra Bishoo, who took eight wickets. Set 343 to win, Darren Bravo backed up his good first innings with a gutsy century but it was all in vain, as a gallant Windies outfit fell 54 runs short.
3) Australia v South Africa
3rd Test, Adelaide, November 2016
Adelaide hosted its second day-night Test, with Australia taking on South Africa in a dead rubber after the Proteas claimed the opening two matches of the series. Faf du Plessis was determined to experience a series whitewash in Australia and the Proteas skipper made an unbeaten century after winning the toss. But he was a lone soldier, as Australia restricted the visitors to 9-259 before du Plessis declared to hand Australia 12 overs under lights.
A patient century to fill-in opener Usman Khawaja, and half-centuries to Smith, Peter Handscomb and Starc ensured the Aussies took a big lead into the second innings. Steven Cook compiled a gritty century, but four wickets to Starc meant Australia required 127 runs to win the match and avoid a series whitewash. In the end, it wasn't a tricky total as Australia reached the total with seven wickets in hand.
4) Australia v Pakistan
1st Test, Brisbane, December 2016
In the first Test of the three-match series against Pakistan, Australia won the toss and batted for the first time at the Gabba in a day-night Test. Hundreds to Smith and Handscomb, and a maiden Test fifty to Matthew Renshaw saw the Aussies post a formidable 429 midway through day two. In reply, Pakistan was all at sea facing the swinging pink ball, with Josh Hazlewood, Starc and Jackson Bird all finishing with three wickets. Australia declared at 5-202 from 39 overs in search of quick runs, with Khawaja and Smith making second-innings half-centuries.
Chasing a near impossible 490 runs for victory, Pakistan started shakily reaching 2-54 before half-centuries to Younis Khan and Azhar Ali steadied the ship for the tourists. A swashbuckling century to Asad Shafiq and handy contributions from Pakistan's tail had the hearts of every Australian fan in their mouth, but a direct-hit run out broke the hearts of the visitors and ensured Australia stayed unbeaten in day-night Test cricket.