CA still in the dark over Australia v India day-night test

REUTERS: Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday that Adelaide Oval will be the venue for the series-opening test against India but has yet to strike an agreement with the Indian board (BCCI) on staging the match under lights.

Cricket Australia (CA) said it was continuing discussions with the BCCI with a view to playing their first day-night test in Adelaide from Dec. 6-10.

“It is our preference that we play India in a day-night test match in Adelaide, but we are still working through this detail and hope to have an answer on this in the coming weeks,” CA CEO James Sutherland said in a media release.

Australia has hosted New Zealand, South Africa and England in day-night tests at Adelaide Oval, winning all three of the pink ball matches. India have never played a floodlit match.

South Africa were initially reluctant to play their 2016 test under lights at Adelaide, fearing the hosts would have an unfair advantage.

The Proteas lost by seven wickets.Australia and India play their second test at the new Perth Stadium in Burswood, across the Swan river from the city’s traditional test venue, the WACA.

The series continues with the Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Dec. 26 and wraps up in the New Year at the Sydney Cricket Ground (Jan. 3-7).

The Gabba in Brisbane, which usually hosts the first test of the Australian summer, has been relegated to the Jan. 24-28 series-opener against Sri Lanka, who will tour the country for the first time in six years.

Canberra’s Manuka Oval will then host its first test match from Feb. 1 when the home side meet Sri Lanka in their second and final fixture.

India’s tour will kick off with a three-match Twenty20 international series in November after Australia start the home summer with four limited overs matches against South Africa.