Gabba day-night Test could be difficult for batsmen: Steven Smith

Smith believes pink-ball cricket is good for the game, but wants more development with the ball. ©Cricaction

Steve Smith, Australia captain, has voiced his concerns over the day-night Test in Brisbane later this year against Pakistan as he believes the batsmen will find it very hard to play on that surface. The faster pitch could pose a lot of problems for batsmen from both sides and the pink ball could swing a lot more than it did in Adelaide in the inaugural day-night Test featuring Australia and New Zealand. 

Smith opined that the Adelaide Oval was the best place to play a day-night Test. "I think it worked well last year, playing the one Test at Adelaide Oval," Smith said. "I personally believe that's the best place to play a day-night Test match. We've got one game at the Gabba this year so it will be interesting to see how that goes. I still think we need plenty of development with the ball.

"I think, it's just a little bit different with the ball and the humidity that is quite often around in Brisbane. [It] could be very difficult for the batters, particularly, if there is to be grass left on the wicket. I guess there is only one way to see how it's going to go and we have an opportunity to do that against Pakistan this year.

"It worked well in Adelaide last year. We were [playing on] 2mm of grass away from it being a four-day game instead of a three-day game. I think it's certainly a place that it can be successful and I'd be happy to play another pink-ball game at Adelaide Oval."

Despite some reservations from certain players, the concept is clearly gaining momentum with the England Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India expressing interest in hosting day-night Tests in the near future. Smith believes that it is a step forward considering the amount of viewership the inaugural day-night Test generated last year and has praised Cricket Australia's efforts. 

"Cricket Australia is keen to get as many pink-ball games in as possible," Smith said. "You only have to look at the spectacle last year at Adelaide, it was absolutely remarkable the amount of viewers at the game and on television as well so I think it's certainly a step forward and we have to keep improving as much as we can to make sure that the game can survive. I think it's a great game of cricket and we have to just continue to get it right as much as possible.

"I think the players have to buy into it as well. In the end, we are the ones out there doing the job and it is our job so we have to make sure it's right for us. We want to win as much as possible and we have to find a way to do that with the pink ball. There was obviously an amazing Test match last year and we were able to get over the line at the end, which I think is the most important thing from my aspect. We have to keep looking at ways to be successful with the pink ball," he summed up.