Money and power "will talk loudest" when Cricket Australia soon confirms the inaugural day-night test, "despite widespread and continuing discord from New Zealand's top players," according to Mark Geenty of STUFF. The official line from New Zealand Cricket was that negotiations "were ongoing for the pink ball test under lights, pencilled in for Adelaide in late November." NZC has not taken a public stance but CEO David White has maintained the Black Caps players "need to agree before it will sign on the dotted line with its Australian counterpart." That is where it becomes an "increasing headache" for NZC. Fast bowler Trent Boult has "never bowled with a pink ball and added his opposition at the weekend," backing the earlier confirmation from Players' Association CEO Heath Mills that 17 of 20 NZC contracted players were "against day-night test cricket" in a survey. CA is "hugely keen to host the first day-night test," which CEO James Sutherland believes will boost TV and spectator revenue. If NZC "plays ball," it is a "golden bargaining chip for more regular and lucrative contact with Australia." NZC's annual revenue is around NZ$50M ($34.4M) while CA topped that in its player payments alone, which last year were A$54.3M (STUFF, 6/22). In Melbourne, Jon Pierik reported New Zealand's cricketers "remain opposed to featuring in the inaugural day-night Test in Australia later this year but face the prospect of being forced to play." Mills said, "The player position hasn't really changed. We just need to wait and see where the discussions get to between the boards. Ultimately, NZC and CA can agree and don't have to ask players." Kookaburra Managing Dir Brett Elliot recently declared the pink ball was "up to
Test standards." There have been concerns about "how well it is seen on
and off the field, particularly during the dusk period." Play is likely
to finish at 9pm (THE AGE, 6/22).
