5 things to look forward to in the third Test between Australia and New Zealand
The Test match format will witness the inception of Pink ballThe two familiar foes, Australia and New Zealand are set to face each other in the third Test of the Trans-Tasman trophy. When the two teams walk out in the Adelaide Oval, a new page will be added to the already magnificent history of test cricket. This will be the first ever day-night Test match played and also the first time a pink ball will be used in international cricket.Australia lead New Zealand 1-0 in the series after they trumped their neighbours in the first clash of the series at Brisbane. However, in the second match at Perth, tons of runs were scored and the match ended in a draw. More than everything, the match at WACA will forever be remembered as Mitchell Johnson’s last appearance for Australia.Although, time stops for no one as the rivals will go head to head again in Adelaide with the Kangaroos trying to seal the series and the Kiwis trying to level the odds.Here are five things we can look forward to in the Test match.
#1 First day-night Test match
In order to save Test match cricket from fading away in the midst of the razzmatazz which the shorter formats of the game provide to the fans, the MCC World Cricket Committee decided that a day-night version of the Test should be incepted.
After a lot of adjustments, discussions about the colour of the ball and practice matches, the third match of the series will become a first of its kind Test match.
Back in June, New Zealand cricket association agreed to play a day-night Test match in the Trans-Tasman series. The occasion has finally arrived and Adelaide Oval will become the first venue to hold a day-night version of cricket's oldest format.
The format is definitely going to attract a lot of fans in the stadium and reportedly 40000 fans are expected to flock to witness the historic moment. Cricket Australia has also announced the sale of cheap "twilight" tickets available for $20 after 4 PM local time, which means the spectators can watch the last two sessions of each day of the Test match after their day’s work.
The only thing troubling the players is the pink ball which will be used for the D/N edition as a number of players have expressed uncertainty as to what should be expected from the ball. Although, the BlackCaps have played the pink ball under lights in Hamilton and in a practise match in Perth and a number of Australian players have also played with the pink ball in Sheffield Shield matches under lights in Adelaide.