Cricket: Central Districts in dark over hosting

McLean Park, Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

New Zealand has been lined up as a possible host of cricket's first day-night test, but the local association knows nothing about it.

When Zimbabwe tour in January-February, their one test is at Napier's McLean Park in late January.

The Lord's-based Marylebone Cricket Club has been in talks with New Zealand Cricket about the idea of it being a day-night five-dayer, subject to tests of a pink ball proving successful. A county game between Kent and Glamorgan is being lined up for a test case, and the MCC, who have been pushing the concept for some time, hope to play a game against Northern Districts at Hamilton's Seddon Park at the end of next month.

"If that happens and it goes well, and if NZC and the International Cricket Council are all happy, we're hoping that might be the precursor to New Zealand playing Zimbabwe in a test match under lights at the end of January," MCC director of cricket John Stephenson said.

But it was a surprise to CD's chief executive Hugh Henderson yesterday.

"It's news to me that it's being contemplated as a night time test here," he said. "I've had nothing from NZC that indicates it, but ultimately we do what NZC wants in that regard."

NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan is overseas. Henderson admitted he had a foot in both camps on day-night tests.

"I'm always keen to try and be first to have a crack at something and be innovative," Henderson said. "But I'm also a bit nervous whether it may detract from what has been successful here in the past, which is test cricket in the day and particularly overlapping a weekend."

He remains unconvinced that greater numbers will go to watch night test cricket, but he knows it is more appealing to a TV audience.

"Ultimately what it's coming down to is people are relatively time-poor in the current society. And cricket is no different [from other sports] in looking at ways to best mould their product to suit people's needs."

Henderson made the point that watching the last 15 overs in an exciting ODI late at night, knowing there will be a conclusion, is one thing; seeing a couple of batsmen grind out an hour to stumps at the same time simply doesn't hold the same appeal.

Finishing around 8pm might be a better option. The bottom line? If the pink ball works, McLean Park could have a notable line in the history books.