Cricket: How was this not given out?

The third umpire gave Australian tailender Nathan Lyon not-out, despite a clear mark on his bat. Photo / Twitter.

The success of the inaugural pink ball test prompts a thought: will there ever be a daytime test in Adelaide again?

It might be outrageously early to offer the idea, but so successful has the match been in terms of crowds, ball behaviour and player reaction that it's not as daft as it might sound.

"There's a mark on a bat, but it could come from anywhere." - #NigelLlong (Grabs from @wwos9 @CricketAus). #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/vRc5QtdJua

— Ron Flatter (@ronflatter) November 28, 2015

Consider that two of Australia's other premier venues have gold stamp events on their annual calender.

Melbourne is a city of significant sporting occasions: the Australian Open tennis in January, the Formula One grand prix and the big race on the first Tuesday every November.

It also hosts the Boxing Day cricket test where crowds full of Christmas cheer make it an occasion to savour.

Sydney traditionally hosts the New Year's test, to kick off the year.

So is there a niche market for Adelaide to capitalise on?

Brisbane has made noises about hosting a day-night test; Hobart is also a contender. The one major test location out of the frame is Perth.

The time difference means it's a ratings winner going into the eastern seaboard market.

One player who didn't enjoy the historic first day was New Zealand's captain. Brendon McCullum played a wretched shot to get out.

Considering New Zealand had lost two for four in eight balls and were wobbling at 98 for four, his lash at Mitchell Starc was an awful piece of shot selection. But yesterday the skipper played his part in pulling New Zealand back into the game in an engrossing first hour.

McCullum's fielding is invariably full on.

Feverish pursuit of the ball, limb-endangering dives across the boundary line and into hoardings are all part of a day out for McCullum.

Yesterday, his wholehearted endeavours got their reward.

The real key to his run out of Shaun Marsh was his dive and stop of a firm offdrive to his left at mid off.

The ball ran loose a moment and the batsmen, Marsh and Steve Smith found themselves in mid-pitch in that dreadful "yes, no, er..." state.

McCullum regathered and from a sitting position, his throw hit the stumps. Try that yourself. Not as easy as it looks, when done with urgency.

New Zealand's bowling display through the first two hours, six for 62 off 29.5 overs, was their best of the series by a distance.

They recognised a chance to put a squeeze on and accomplished it with a classy collective display.

Tim Southee reached his 150th test wicket and Doug Bracewell applied a tourniquet.

But it was McCullum's play that provided the spark.