ECB plans coloured clothing for day-night Test

LONDON: In a move that has infuriated the purists, the England Cricket Board is planning to introduce coloured clothing for the first day-night Test that pits England against Bangladesh next year.
According to a report in 'The Daily Telegraph', the match, to be played at Lord's in May, may have cricketers sporting coloured kits as the administrators have so far failed to find a suitable replacement for the red ball, which is not visible under floodlights.
"If a white ball is to be used, the cricketers' clothing must be some other colour," the report stated.
The administrators have been experimenting with pink and orange balls but the results have not been all that encouraging.
The ECB's plan has, however, already raised the hackles of traditionalists, who feel the move will destroy the sanctity of Test cricket at the very home of the game.
"I am one of the old school and I am all for the game being played in white. It is best to play at Test match in white and during the day," said retired umpire Dickie Bird.
The newspaper said "there have already been in-depth discussions on the subject at two recent ECB committee meetings."
"John Stephenson, the head of cricket for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), has been asked to move the initiative forward," it added.
The floodlit match is the first of two Tests against Bangladesh to be played in late May next year. "Play is likely to start at 2.30pm and finish at 9.30pm, which would allow spectators to attend after work," the report said.
ICC General Manager Dave Richardson said the governing body would wait for a formal proposal from the ECB before commenting on the matter.
"As this would involve a change to the standard Test playing conditions and the clothing and equipment regulations for Test cricket, it would require our proper consent and the ECB have not approached us yet for any such approval," he said.
Richardson said the ICC was all for innovative ways to promote Test cricket and day-night matches was one of them.
"...the ICC is supporting the research by the MCC which includes whether a white ball can be developed that can last longer and be suitable for longer versions of the game.
"This matter will definitely be on the agenda of the ICC cricket committee meeting in May. Overall the ICC remains committed to the promotion of Test cricket, and if this means playing some Tests under lights, we should certainly consider it," he said.
"We need to play Test at times when it is convenient for people to watch."