‘We’re definitely planning to continue day-night Tests…’: CA general manager on future Ashes rivalry

The Gabba (Pic: X/@root66)

Ahead of the second Test match of the Ashes series, Cricket Australia has confirmed that day-night Tests will continue to be a part of the oldest rivalry in cricket.

Speaking about the continuation, Joel Morrison, who is the executive general manager of all Cricket Australia's events and operations, said that over the years, the fans have witnessed some great cricket being played under the lights with the pink ball.

"We think for any home summer, including the Ashes, a day-night Test is a great thing," he said as quoted by cricket.com.au.

"It makes it more accessible for fans, more people can attend, more people can watch. We've seen some really great cricket under lights with the pink ball, so we certainly see it continuing. We think the recipe of one-day night Test per home summer really works and we're definitely planning for that to continue," said Morrison.

The confirmation came after the comments from England's stalwart batsman Joe Root. Earlier, when he was asked if there was a need for a pink-ball Test in the rivalry, he said that, considering the success of Australia in the pink-ball games, one can figure out why it is being played.

"It does add to things. It's obviously very successful and popular here, and obviously Australia have got a very good record here as well. You can see why we're playing one of those games and ultimately, you know from two years out (that) it is going to be there... A series like this, does it need it? I don't think so, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be here either," said the 34-year-old batsman.

The second Test match of the Ashes series between England and Australia is scheduled to begin on Thursday at The Gabba in Brisbane.

Australia have lost just once in 14 pink-ball Tests, that defeat coming against West Indies at the Gabba early last year. England, meanwhile, has a poor record at the venue and has not won there since the 1986-87 Ashes.

AUS vs ENG 2nd Test: Full squad

Australia squad (second Test only): Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.