Cricket Australia "is putting into action its long-held ambition to pioneer day-night Tests, and will hold a round of the Sheffield Shield under lights this summer with the intention of staging a day-night Test against New Zealand" in '15-16, according to Chloe Saltau of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Having championed the concept for several years, and conducted experiments with balls of various colors, CA "has decided to forge ahead towards a specific goal." The trial, to cover round nine of the Shield, "will take place in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland" -- the places considered most likely to suit floodlit Tests. A pink Kookaburra "will be used after advances in manufacturing which were designed to make the ball last longer than previous versions, and the playing hours will be similar to day-night ODIs, with the whole last session played under floodlights." The durability and visibility of the ball, and the amount of dew on the ground at night, "are the main obstacles to day-night Tests." CA CEO James Sutherland said that "he was determined to find out if those hurdles could be cleared." If the trial is successful, more Shield games "will be held under lights next summer." CA "has in recent weeks started talks with New Zealand Cricket about hosting a day-night Test when the Black Caps tour" in late '15 (SMH, 8/30).
