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Aussies' flawless run in day-night Tests

3 minute read

Australia will be shooting for a ninth straight day-night Test victory this week when they face England at Adelaide Oval.

JAMES ANDERSON
JAMES ANDERSON Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

AUSTRALIA'S IMPOSING DAY-NIGHT TEST RECORD:-

*How have Australia fared in pink-ball men's Tests?

Incredibly well. They have recorded eight wins from eight games, although every one of those contests was on home soil.

*What about England?

Not so good. England have one victory to show from four Tests under lights. Notably that win came in their first day-night Test, back in 2017 at home against the West Indies.

*Are the tourists happy to be playing a day-night Test?

Jimmy Anderson should delight in swing-friendly conditions. Of England's four losses in the corresponding series of 2017-18, the closest Test was the pink-ball match. Joe Root's side has also agreed, mid series, to make the fifth Ashes Test a pink-ball contest.

*Who will fire for Australia?

Mitchell Starc has repeatedly proven the hosts' pink-ball wizard. The left-armer has snared 46 day-night Test wickets at 18.86, more than another player in the world.

*When was the innovation first introduced?

2015. Australia and New Zealand were both reluctant about the change, but the trans-Tasman rivals agreed to play the inaugural day-night Test at Adelaide Oval. It proved a cracking contest (albeit over in three days), with the hosts getting home by three wickets.

*And why?

The format is designed to ensure more fans watch Test cricket (both at home and at the ground). Former Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland led the charge and other nations have slowly but surely come to the party since.

*Why does Adelaide always host a pink-ball Test?

Ground staff have routinely proven they can create ideal conditions that provide a fair balance between bat and ball. As Pat Cummins noted last week there could be some dull pink-ball Sheffield Shield matches at other venues as opposed to Adelaide.

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