Adelaide: Before a (pink) ball was even delivered in the historic day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval, the concept received a tremendous boost; it came in the form of a positive response from Indian captain Virat Kohli. "Hopefully it will be better for the game," said Kohli. "It will be a step which we all might remember a few years down the line. Let's hope so."


A general view at dusk during Day Two of the third Test between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images

Apart from Kohli's positive endorsement, the other major reaction to the arrival of day/night Test cricket has been a renewed call for matches of four-day duration. That suggestion may seem like an extension of the current revolution but it's actually a return to the past when four day Tests were a regular occurrence. There's no doubt that what appears to be the successful transition to day-night Tests will make the four-day concept far more practical. Back in 1978-79, World Series Cricket played day-night Super Tests that were of seven hours and four days duration; it's far less taxing on the participants to introduce longer playing hours when not so many take place in the heat of the day.