Don't change Test cricket to day/night games: Ajit Agarkar, Jatin Paranjpe

Updated on: 20 May,2010 07:51 AM IST |
Anand I Naik |

Outgoing ICC president David Morgan said yesterday that day/night Test cricket would be a possibility in the near future. The issue is to be discussed in ICC's Cricket Committee meeting that starts today in London

Two India cricketers, who were part of the Mumbai teamu00a0 which played the only day/night Ranji Trophy final in the 1996-97 season, welcomed the possibility but only if the basics of Test cricket are not compromised.

Speedster Ajit Agarkar agrees with Paranjpe and adds: "The crowd will surely come in but day/night games will alter the dynamics of Test cricket and that's not a good thing. Also, I wouldn't like to see coloured clothing.

Test cricket is great the way it is," Agarkar said, adding that the change in format could make things interesting.

"There will be dew in theu00a0 night instead of the early morning moisture. So, a bowler's approach will change.

Also, the seam of the red SG ball used for Tests in India does not flatten out quickly and that helps the bowlers for long periods.

"So, we need to make sure that the balls which will be used have the same characteristics as the red ones. Otherwise, it will be very tough on the bowlers," he added. Experiments are currently on to check the feasibilty of using pink balls for day/night Test matches.

For a batsman, Paranjpe felt, not much would change.

"The light will change from natural to artificial but I don't see that hampering a batsman. From a batting point of view, I don't think playing day/night Tests would be a big problem."

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