Smith opens up on pink ball Tests

Omnisports

May 23, 2016 5:00 AM

Australia captain Steven Smith discussed South Africa and day-night Tests ahead of his team's departure for the West Indies.

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Steven Smith understands why Cricket Australia wants to increase the number of day-night Tests on the Australian calendar, but does not believe it is his job to sell it.

Smith said the success of the first day-night Test in Adelaide last year meant it was only natural that CA would explore hosting matches in other cities.

The Gabba in Brisbane will host a day-night Test with the pink ball in December, but plans to play such Tests against South Africa are on the rocks after Tony Irish, chief executive of the South African Crickets' Association, said their players would feel disadvantages.

Smith was asked if he would try and convince South Africa's senior players of the merits of playing with the pink ball and his response was typically diplomatic.

"I guess we can have conversations about it with the senior players, but at the end of the day it's up to both boards to decide what they want to do in regards to the match," Smith said on Monday as Australia prepare for next month's tri-series in the West Indies.

"I think it worked well last year playing the one Test at Adelaide Oval. I personally believe that is the best place to play a day-night match, we've got one at the Gabba this year, so it will be interesting to see how that goes.

"I think we still need plenty of development with the ball to make sure we don't need to prepare a wicket that suits the ball with extra grass on it.

"I'm interested to see how it goes and hopefully see it as a success."

Smith expressed concerns about the humidity and grass on the Brisbane wicket which might make playing with the pink ball particularly difficult for the batsmen.

"Cricket Australia are obviously very keen to get as many pink ball games in as possible, you only have to look at the spectacle of last year at Adelaide, it was absolutely remarkable the amount of viewers at the game and on television," he said.

But Smith said while there had to be buy-in from the players for the long-term viability of the day-night Test, he does not see it as his job to sell the concept.

"I think the players have to buy into it as well," he added. "At the end of the day we're the ones out there that have to be the job, and it is our job.

"So we have to make sure it's right for us and we want to win as much as possible and we have to find a way to do that with the pink ball."

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