Aussie media see pink ball appeal
View(s):SYDNEY, Nov 28, 2015 (AFP) – The first ever pink ball Test in Adelaide was warmly received by Australian commentators on Saturday, with several likening the day-night match to playing under darkened English skies.
Shaun Marsh plays a shot as New Zealand's fielder Mark Craig (R) looks on.AFP
The first game of its kind in cricket’s 138-year history, the opening day of the Australia v New Zealand clash on Friday drew some 47,441 fans — the biggest crowd at the Adelaide Test since the famous 1932-33 Bodyline series.
“The whole thing looked pretty much like Test cricket,” wrote Richard Hinds in The Daily Telegraph after the first day saw New Zealand win the toss and bat, only to be all out for 202. Australia were 54 for 2 at close.
“Played with a pink ball. Under lights. At Trent Bridge.
“The visibility was different. The beaten batsman might say worse. But the conditions were not completely unfamiliar or particularly unfair.”
Writing in The Australian newspaper, Peter Lalor said at times Australian opener David Warner might have felt like he was back playing the Ashes in England.
“When the Australian innings began in the last session Trent Boult and Tim Southee made it swing like it was a dark day in England,” he said.
Commentators were pleased with the seeming restoration of parity between bat and ball, with 12 wickets falling in the first day in Adelaide.