Search

show me:

Warne's two-ball fix for day-night Tests

3 minute read

Shane Warne wants one pink Kookaburra ball used at each end during day-night Test matches to prevent them from softening too quickly.

SHANE WARNE
SHANE WARNE Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Shane Warne believes he has come up with a solution to pink balls becoming too soft, too quickly in day-night Test matches.

The former spin king, who continues to push for a day-night Boxing Day Test at his beloved MCG, wants two of the Kookaburra-produced pink balls in operation at all times.

One ball would be used at each end, as has been the case in all ODI matches for the past eight years.

It would be a first for Test cricket.

Warne believed his plan would minimise the difference between conditions during the afternoon and night sessions.

"The pink ball goes too soft; we heard the players say it goes really soft quickly," Warne said.

"That's why the game is so much dictated to bowling under lights in that last session.

"You could take that out of the equation (by having) a pink ball from both ends.

"The ball will swing and do stuff during the day a lot more, so it doesn't become such an issue at night time."

Australia are due to face India in a four-Test series next summer, preceded by a one-off Test against cricket minnows Afghanistan.

Debate is raging over which cities should host the sought-after India contests, with the schedule to be determined next year.

Doubts remain over whether India will agree to playing day-night Tests in Australia.

"I don't think you need all day-night Test matches, but I think Melbourne would be fantastic for a Boxing Day Test match with 80-90,000 people there," Warne said.

"I'd be making Adelaide and Melbourne the two day-nighters.

"Brisbane, Perth and Sydney; the pitches there are fantastic. They turn, they seam, they do all that stuff.

"Melbourne and Adelaide are the ones that can get a bit flat at times, so play them under lights."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au