Australia has hosted a day-night Test every cricket summer since 2015. After that historic maiden Test between the Trans-Tasman rivals, Pakistan, England and South Africa have also had a glimpse of red-ball cricket under lights in Australia. However, this time around with India not playing a pink-ball Test, the onus is on Sri Lanka. The Island nation play one of their two Tests under lights at the Gabba.
With the Test starting in less than a week, questions are being raised on Gabba’s capability to host a day-night Test after what happened in the Big Bash League encounter between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder on Thursday (January 17). The match was called off after a power outage caused one of the floodlight towers to black out.
The incident occurred after Sydney Thunders’ captain Shane Watson set up a massive target of 187 with his maiden BBL hundred for the hosts, and his side picked the wickets of Chris Lynn and Brendon McCullum in the first three overs. Energex, the energy provider, tried but failed to restore the floodlights and they had 58 minutes to do so.
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“Last night’s match was unable to be completed due to an external power issue that was outside the control of the Brisbane Heat and Cricket Australia,” said Anthony Everard, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Fan Engagement.
Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket have decided to offer complimentary tickets to abandoned BBL game’s ticket-holders, which will entitle them to attend one day of the next week’s day-night Test between Australia and Sri Lanka. Since 23 overs of play were completed, a refund wasn’t applicable.
This is where it becomes tricky as the issue is still being investigated as Gabba preps to host yet another day-night Test. “We are now working with Stadiums Queensland to investigate why this occurred, and to ensure there will be no further issues at future matches,” Everard added.
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It’s unlikely that a match at MCG would have suffered a similar fate. Melbourne has its own power grid – as elaborated by a source familiar with the energy system to foxsports.com.au – unlike say Brisbane, where the towers are powered from an external source.
Adelaide has hosted three the pink-ball Tests and Gabba has been given the responsibility this time. The match starts on Thursday (January 24) and Queensland Cricket will have a lot on their plate in the lead-up to that.
