Cricket blooms under Sydney's unnatural light for 25 years

When the organisers of World Series Cricket decided to play cricket under lights, they could not have believed just how much their revolutionary idea would catch on. It had been done earlier but by gaining a foothold in Sydney it won a respectable face among cricket's traditionalists. In the 25 years since that first match in Sydney, on November 28, 1978, the cricket world has been treated to a remarkable infusion of innovation that has breathed new life into the old game.

A match between Australia and the West Indies was played on that date to test lights, and cricket never looked back. More than 50,000 were similarly curious and they were hooked. Of all the venues in the world for day-night cricket it is hard to go past the SCG - not only because of the climate which makes it ideal for the day-night game, but because of the way the lights highlight the traditional elements of the ground to lend it more character.

The day-night phenomenon was crucial to attracting the paying customer support that was necessary to fund the increased pay packets the players picked up. So successful has it been that rather than being the extraordinary, lights at grounds are the norm.

A total of 115 ODI day-night matches have been played at the ground. Australia has won 65 of its matches and opposing countries 47.

Most runs scored by an individual batsman in day-night matches is held by Allan Border, who hit 570 runs in 25 matches. Adam Gilchrist has the highest score, 131 against Sri Lanka in 1999 while Craig McDermott has taken most wickets, 28 in 20 games.