Newly-appointed Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings has said it is quite unfortanate that the opening Test of the four-match series against India is not a day-night fixture after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected a request for the same.
The revamped Adelaide Oval had hosted its previous three Tests as pink ball matches, attracting strong crowds as well as broadcast ratings. The home side went on to win all those three games.
Having not played a Test match underlights so far, India felt that it would be a disadvantage for them to play day-night event in Adelaide as it would require some time to adjust to the pink-lacquered Kookaburra ball.
Emphasizing that the day-night Test cricket is a way of the future, Eddings expressed hope to see the pink-ball match in the revamped venue next year.
"Day-night Test cricket is a way of the future. You don't play it in all countries and at all venues. Certainly in Adelaide, you have seen how successful that has been.Unfortunately, we couldn't get it done this year but we are going to have one in Brisbane," the Sydney Morning Heralad quoted the Cricket Australia chairman as saying.
"If you have the right Test at the right spot, day-night Test cricket is fantastic. I am sure we will get it back there (Adelaide) next year," he added.
It is to be noted that the touring side is allowed to dismiss the host nation's schedule request under the current International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, something which is all set to tweak under the new Test championship program from next year.
"Like everything, it's all a negotiation, bilateral cricket - it's give and take and you move on with it," Eddings said.
While India's only experiment with pink ball cricket came during the Duleep Trophy domestic championship in 2016, Australia will play their next Test match underlights against Sri Lanka in Brisbane in February.
Eddings, however, called on the Australian Test side to play hard but fair while also adding that cricket fans do not expect Tim Paine's men to be quiet on the field of battle.
"Just play good, hard cricket. I don't think people wants us to be quiet but they wants us to play with respect to the game, play hard but fair, and win well and lose better," he said."The old adage is you don't say much when you win and say even less when you lose. I think we have a great team, they are fine young men, and I think they will do that. My advice to the guys is to go out and play your natural game and try as hard as you can. That's all Australians want to see."
On Wednesday, Eddings was named the new permanent chairman of Cricket Australia (CA) by the board, four weeks after taking up the post on a temporary basis when David Peever was forced to resign.
A director on the board for the 10 years, Eddings would serve until next October`s annual general meeting when the post would be filled by a candidate nominated after consultation with the state associations, Cricket Australia had said.
On a related note, the two sides are slated to lock horns from December 6 at Adelaide Oval.
