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IF you ask former Orange, and now Victorian, quick Chris Tremain, the spinners could be the biggest beneficiaries from the pink ball during Australia’s day-night Test match - the first of its kind - against New Zealand, which kicks off in Adelaide on Friday.
Although unable to comment on whether he sees day-night cricket as the future of the format, Tremain said based on his experience with a pink ball - during a day-night Sheffield Shield game in Hobart last season - the tweakers could be gifted a notable advantage.
“From what I’ve seen, and heard, the pink balls get quite a bit softer than the red ones as they get older, which could bring spinners into the game a bit more,” he explained.
“I think it will create a few advantages, and more tactical situations. Just like a side will look at playing four quicks in Perth, or always take more spinners to India, for example, I think the pink ball will have sides always considering playing two spinners.
“I thought Test cricket was doing okay, so I’m not sure if it’s the way forward or not. Cricket Australia and the governing bodies will always look at this type of thing to keep the game fresh.
“Granted, I don’t really think anyone has had enough experience with the pink ball to comment on whether this format is the way forward or not, they’ve only played a few games using it at Shield level.”
Much like in several of the day-night Shield games, New Zealand’s trial against a Western Australian XI last weekend proved to be substantially impacted by the sun going down, with the sunset more than once sparking batting collapses.
“I’m not really sure if the ball is swinging more under the lights or not, or whether that’s having an impact,” Tremain said.
“I know the visibility problems are said to be right on dusk, when the floodlights are still taking over. I imagine it would be quite difficult to bat in those conditions.
“But from what I’ve read the kiwis seemed okay with it, although I know the media spoke to Martin Guptill and he scored a ton, so of course he would be fine with it.
“I think it’s going to be a wait and see how this Test goes type thing, especially for anyone on the fence about it like me.”
Tremain spoke from Perth, where he had just arrived for his Bushrangers’ Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia, which also kicks off on Friday.
Named in the squad, Tremain said he wasn’t sure if he’ll get the chance to play his 15th First Class game or not, with the final XI to be named just before the toss.
“There’s myself, Scotty Boland, Clint Mackay and a couple of seaming all-rounders, so we’ll just have to wait and see what the final make-up of the squad is,” he said.