Australian cricket’s "new jewel in the crown is under threat" with South Africa’s players refusing to play a day-night Test in Adelaide this summer, according to Peter Lalor of THE AUSTRALIAN. The stand-off is "causing massive headaches for Cricket Australia which is planning to unveil the fixtures" for the Test tours by Pakistan and South Africa on Tuesday. Last year’s inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand was considered a "resounding success with record television ratings and attendances." There were "concerns, however, that the pink ball was difficult to see." South African players "do not want to play the day-night match because they argue they have no experience with a pink ball" or a five-day game under those conditions and will "be at a disadvantage in an important series." Their objections "are being backed by their players’ association and board." Cricket Australia is offering the South Africans "a chance to play a day-night tour match to adapt to the conditions," but this has not satisfied the visitors, "who say that if reservations remained after the game it would be too late to withdraw from the Test." South African Cricketers' Association CEO Tony Irish said, "The reluctance to play is a sign of how much importance the South African players place on the series against Australia" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/18).
