Cricket Australia brings Test cricket with coloured ball closer to reality

Cricket Australia (CA) has intensified their campaign to play day-night Test cricket, with preparations on to trial a coloured ball under lights in match conditions.

According to reports, a domestic game next month will be used to assess the feasibility of fundamentally changing the conditions for Test cricket.

CA chief executive James Sutherland has said that if the initial trials are successful, then some Sheffield Shield matches would be played under lights with coloured balls next season.

CA cricket operations manager Geoff Allardice said that they expect the arrangements for the trial match to be completed by the middle of next week.

He further said that three cricket equipment manufacturers will be asked to submit a coloured ball, with the favourite, a pink one developed by Kookaburra.

Meanwhile, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will trial a pink ball in its traditional season-opening match between the Marylebone Cricket Club, which has been a driving force behind the concept, and the county champion, Durham.

The four-day match has always been held at the home of the MCC, Lord's, but this year the four-day game will take place in Abu Dhabi under floodlights.

MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said that the match will be another step towards floodlit Test cricket.

"We've been asking cricket authorities around the world to help us trial the pink ball under floodlights," The Australian quoted Stephenson, as saying.

"If this match is a success, it could help to re-invigorate Test cricket. We have an opportunity to play our part for the good of the game and we're determined to grasp it,' he added.