The International Cricket Council on December 14 accorded its approval for the 4-day day-night Test match. The inaugural four-day Test will be played between South Africa and Zimbabwe starting later this month in Port Elizabeth.
According to Reuters, game officials and former players have acknowledged the need to make tests four-day affairs instead of five, hoping it would help them become more viewer friendly.
Test matches — the game’s oldest format — have witnessed a steady decline in attendance over the recent years, throwing the door open to a number of novel means to engage fans, including the introduction of day-night tests.
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The format has been facing stiff competition from the game’s newer, shorter formats — such as Twenty20 internationals and domestic leagues — all over the globe.
Here’s all you need to know about the inaugural four-day Test:
- The African neighbours will play the first Test match shortened by one day from December 26.
- A minimum of 98 overs will be played on each day of the four-day Test.
- ICC playing conditions deem that a minimum of 90 overs must be bowled per day during a five-day test match, so the play will be extended for an extra 30 minutes to accommodate the additional eight overs.
- First-innings lead of 150 will be enough to enforce the follow-on in the day-night fixture at Port Elizabeth, 50 runs less than the runs needed in the five-day format.
- The match will commence at 1:30 PM (local time) and the final session will be played under the lights.
Meanwhile, South Africa will host Team India for 3-match Test series starting January 5. South Africa vs India Test series will be a five-day affair. Team India will look to create history by winning the first-ever Test series on African soil.
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Besides Tests, Team India will play 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is during their visit to the African nation.
(WITH AGENCY INPUTS)
