India's refusal to play the Day/Night Test in Australia, disappointing, says Ian Chappell

Chappell feels Day/Night Tests are crucial for the survival of the purest format.

pic credit AFP

Ian Chappell, the former Australia Captain, has come out and made his views clear that it is disappointing from BCCI and India to not agree to play the traditional Day/Night Test in Australia when they tour for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy this Australian summer. 

Writing in his column for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell stated, "The BCCI's decision was extremely disappointing. Adelaide has become the unofficial home of day-night Test cricket, and the legacy of three years of rip-roaring success under lights there was expected to be further enhanced by the presence of a strong Indian team," 

"No matter what excuse the BCCI offers, it's hard to accept that this decision was anything other than the board looking to increase India's chances of winning their first Test series in Australia against a weakened opponent," 

India's conservatism has perhaps come from the fact they'll be facing an Australia side without the services of David Warner and Steve Smith and doesn't want to hamper the best chance to win a test series in Australia. 

Ian Chappell understanding the motive, stood firm on his stance and wrote, "Nowhere can I find even a hint of it being in 'the best interests of the game'. In an age where T20 leagues are flooding the market, Test cricket needs nurturing from the officials if it is to survive this influx. Day-night Test cricket in centres where it's viable is a must if the long form is to have a future in a market that is becoming ever more competitive and where the officials are constantly looking for ways to compress the game," 

Further, in his column, the great man has written, "Apart from the obvious advantage of the matches being played at a more appropriate time for fans to either attend or watch on television, Day-Night Tests also conjure intriguing cricketing possibilities."

"Because of frequent dramatic changes in conditions, different strategies are likely to evolve for day-night Tests, particularly in relation to selection and batting orders. Day-night Tests also provide greater opportunities for bowlers and challenge a captain's imagination - anything that achieves those two aims is good for cricket."


 

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 13 May, 2018

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