F Persaud: Bring on the Test floodlights (16 July 1997)

16 Jul 1997

Davis: Bring on the Test floodlights

Forbes Persaud

FORMER Trinidad and West Indies opening batsman Bryan Davis is happy over the introduction of floodlighting in Test cricket in the event of poor natural light threatening to curtail play. Davis said the move will certainly generate more spectator interest and improve the game, while making no alteration to the stipulated duration of play.

The surprise decision to introduce floodlighting into Test cricket was made at the International Cricket Conference's annual meeting, where it was also decided that umpires will be allowed to call for a TV replay via the third official to decide whether or not a catch has been cleanly taken. Concerning the artificial lights, Davis said: "One must remember that the red ball is used in the traditional Test match, whereas it is white under lights."

Davis wondered whether there will be a change of balls in the event of light being switched on. Dealing with the use of the third umpire to determine whether a catch has been taken cleanly or not, Davis said in previous years the umpire depended on the honesty of players to assist in this regard. He added, however, that within recent times, television replays have revealed that umpires have erred in some instances when upholding appeals by fieldsmen for catches allegedly taken fairly.

Davis recommended, however, that a third umpire must be given a time limit in which to give his verdict in order to avoid unnecessary delays on the field of play.

"If in the prescribed time the third umpire cannot determine whether the catch was fairly taken or not, then the batsman must be given the benefit of he doubt and play allowed to continue.

ICC chief executive David Richards said: "Providing both countries agree before a Test series, artificial lighting may be turned on in conditions of adverse natural light to assist play to continue within the normal hours of play."