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Sport
Scott Bailey

Pink-ball cricket Tests at critical point

WIndies coach Phil Simmons wants Test nations to follow Australia's lead in the pink-ball game. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

West Indies coach Phil Simmons has warned Test-playing nations to follow Australia's lead in embracing pink-ball matches or risk falling behind in day-night games as the concept reaches a critical juncture.

Once sold as the great future of Test cricket, pink-ball matches have become particularly scarce anywhere outside of Australia or India in recent years.

In Australia, the fixture has become an annual part of the calendar, while matches have also been played in Brisbane, Perth and Hobart.

Television ratings have traditionally boomed, while crowds remain stable with the capacity for the matches to attract fans outside of the traditional holiday period.

Elsewhere though, pink-ball Tests are rare.

Of the 19 day-night Tests played in history, 10 of them have been in Australia.

And no country outside of Australia or India has hosted one in almost four-and-a-half years.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are among nations yet to host a day-night match, while no other country aside from Australia or India have gone back to the well after holding their maiden one.

"I think it should (be played more)," Simmons said.

"It has brought out a lot of excitement. I watched the one with India in Kolkata and there was a lot of excitement around that.

"Other teams outside of India and Australia have to start playing it a little more. And then when they come here there will be better competition and a bit more exciting game.

"I think there is a place for it and it is something that everyone should be looking at."

To Simmons' point, Australia's experience with the pink-ball is no doubt part of the reason why they remain unbeaten under lights in Test cricket.

Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough has also become a pro in preparing day-night wickets, leaving some form of extra grass on to offer grip for spinners.

Mitchell Starc is the leading wicket-taker in the format with his ability to swing the ball, while captains have gone part way to perfecting the art of knowing when to declare and how to time innings.

But their greater test is set to come in India in February, with a day-night match expected to be played in Ahmedabad.

India are also unbeaten at home in pink-ball Tests, with spinners taking 19 wickets for the hosts in the one day-night match played at Ahmedabad in 2021.

"Axar Patel was getting a lot of skid and getting lbws and things like that," Steve Smith said.

"It's kind of different compared to here, where we see the seamers generally taking the bulk of the wickets.

"It's interesting just the different ways the games have been played over the time that the pink ball's been around.

"I'm sure other teams are looking at ways to implement it into their calendar as well."

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