Smith wary of pink ball Test against Pakistan at Gabba
MELBOURNE: Australia captain Steven Smith has no qualms about playing another day-night Test at Adelaide Oval but is wary of how the pink ball will perform in the humid conditions expected at Brisbane later this year.
Australia play Pakistan in the first Test under lights at the Gabba on Dec15, despite warnings from former players and pundits that muggy conditions could make the ball unplayable for batsmen.
In the inaugural day-night match against New Zealand in drier Adelaide conditions last year, the ball hooped around menacingly during the floodlit late sessions and Australia won in three days.
Cricket Australia (CA) hope to schedule another Test against South Africa at Adelaide Oval in November but the Proteas have balked at the prospect, citing a lack of experience with the pink ball.
“I think it worked well, the one Test at the Adelaide Oval,” Smith told reporters in Brisbane on Monday.“I personally believe that's the best place to play a day-night Test match but we've got the one at the Gabba this year so it will be interesting to see how that goes.
“It's just a little bit different with the ball and humidity that quite often is around in Brisbane, so it could be very difficult for the batters, particularly if there's grass left on the wicket.”