Happy to play day-night Tests, but would like to see ball and where it’s played: Clarke

PERTH - Australian cricket vice-captain Michael Clarke has said that while he is all for playing day and night Tests, he would like to see what kind of ball is used and the locations where such games would be played before taking a final call on participation.

“Id like to see the ball first. And, I’d like to find out where we’re going to play these day-night Test matches. Batting under lights in one-day cricket is much harder than batting during the day. Conditions dictate that. They obviously have to try day-night matches at first-class level before it touches a Test match and I’m interested to see how it pans out because if it can work, it’ll be great for the game,” The Age quoted Clarke, as saying.

“The public will certainly find it easier, with the game played during the week, to come out and watch after work. I’m certainly keen to see where it goes but I just want to see where the games will be played and what the balls will be like. The balls are the big issue for me,” he added.

Pink balls will be trialled at day-night Futures league matches in Adelaide and Melbourne next week.

Before then, Clarke carries his rich vein of form into the fourth match of the limited-overs series against Pakistan at the WACA Ground tonight.

He has made 58, 25 and 80 at a leisurely and uncomplicated pace thanks to Yousuf’s defensive field settings.

Clarke sees shades of grey in day-night Tests but his view of the Sheffield Shield is black and white.

Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland is open to the idea of playing shield matches in the Top End to allow more time for Twenty20, but Clarke is adamant the premier domestic competition should remain untouched.

“The strength of Australian cricket since I played the game for either NSW or Australia has been the first-class system being so strong.For me, the priority is that we don’t touch that, said Clarke. (ANI)