ICC approves day/night Test with coloured balls

The ICC on Monday gave its seal of approval to the day/night Test matches while leaving the member boards to decide on the type and colour of the ball to be used, as it announced new playing conditions for Tests, ODIs and T20 Internationals ahead of Sri Lanka-New Zealand series beginning on Tuesday.

Some countries, including Australia and England, have been experimenting day/night Test matches for some time and with the ICC’s decision, the longest format of the game may be held under lights very soon.

“Participating countries may agree to play day/night Test matches. The home and visiting boards will decide on the hours of play, which will be six hours of scheduled play per day while the two boards will also decide on the precise brand, type and colour of ball to be used for the match,” the ICC said in a statement.

“The new playing conditions for Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 internationals will come into effect with the series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, which starts in Pallekele on October 30. The amendments have been approved by the ICC Board following proposals made by the ICC Cricket Committee at its meeting in London in May,” it said.

“It is important to note that the playing conditions are applicable to international cricket and must be read together with the Laws of Cricket.

Whilst a playing condition may affect the laws of cricket as they may apply to international cricket, these changes are not amendments to the laws of cricket themselves,” the statement added.