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I read media reports recently that the Pakistan Cricket Board had suggested to the Sri Lankan cricket board that their Test series, to be played in the UAE in December and January, could comprise day-night matches. Two days later I learnt that SLC was not very excited by the idea and so the day-night Tests in the UAE may not happen. I assume SLC is quite happy for its team to play Test cricket during the day, in front of 200 people, rather than in the evening in front of a possible 20,000, with many more watching on TV.
On my several visits to Sri Lanka, it has amazed me to see about 100 people watching a Test match between two major teams, like Sri Lanka and South Africa, at the SSC. The Sri Lankan cricket board seemed completely unperturbed by it. If Test cricket in Sri Lanka was a store, it would have closed a long time ago because of the lack of customers, and the same can be said about most Tests played around the world. We tend to look at the exceptions, like the Ashes, and think Test cricket is in good health.
I fail to understand the reluctance of cricket boards to try something different in order to get more viewers into grounds, as well as in front of TV sets.
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http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine...ry/663491.html
On my several visits to Sri Lanka, it has amazed me to see about 100 people watching a Test match between two major teams, like Sri Lanka and South Africa, at the SSC. The Sri Lankan cricket board seemed completely unperturbed by it. If Test cricket in Sri Lanka was a store, it would have closed a long time ago because of the lack of customers, and the same can be said about most Tests played around the world. We tend to look at the exceptions, like the Ashes, and think Test cricket is in good health.
I fail to understand the reluctance of cricket boards to try something different in order to get more viewers into grounds, as well as in front of TV sets.
Full Story
http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine...ry/663491.html