Oz players' unions backs 'day-night Test' concept despite cricketers' ambivalence

The Australian cricketers' union has reportedly backed Cricket Australia's (CA) move to trial the concept of day-night Tests in the domestic Sheffield Shield this summer although the players themselves are divided in their opinion.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is 'very interested' in playing a day-night Test in Australia in 2015, both the New Zealand and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) will need to be convinced that players are not disadvantaged during the tricky 'twilight zone'.

Although ACA chief Paul Marsh backed the trial, he, however warned that players would not support changed playing conditions that damaged the integrity of Test cricket if for instance, the pink coloured ball did not last for 80 overs, although he said that ACA is pleased that CA will first trial the issue at domestic level before international level.

Stating that the support from the players over the issue is divided and is roughly 50-50, Marsh however, said that the association is skeptical about the ability of the ball to stand up, adding that they believe that there are still issues that need to be overcome by CA before taking the concept to Test level.

Confirming that talks with CA were under way, NZC chief executive David White said that he was excited about the commercial possibilities should the idea catch on internationally, with the report adding that New Zealand will hold its own trials at lower levels of domestic cricket this season.

According to White, the New Zealand time zone is not the most advantageous with the northern hemisphere and India at the moment, for which, he believes that playing at night will open more opportunities from an international broadcast point of view, in terms of a better time zone.

However, White also admitted that they need to be comfortable that the players are not disadvantaged at any time during the game with the coloured ball given that twilight is widely considered as a difficult time to bat.