New Zealand's leading cricketers are overwhelmingly against plans to play "day-night" Test cricket when they tour Australia this year, fearing it will "devalue" the game.
The MCG is often referred to by locals as "The G". Photo: CC: Alexander Sheko
The concept of day-night cricket played under lights using a pink ball has been enthusiastically promoted by Cricket Australia, which is keen to bring the five-day game to prime-time television audiences.
CA trialled day-night first class cricket in the 2014-15 Sheffield Shield season with a view to staging the first ever Test under lights when the Black Caps d tour Australia in November.
The NZ players' association chieg executive Heath Mills says they were asked a few months ago by New Zealand Cricket to get the players opinions and the response was overwhelmingly negative about day-night test matches.
New Zealand are set to play three Tests in Australia, with Adelaide regarded as the front-runner to host a day-nighter.
Mills said New Zealand cricketers viewed a Test series against Australia as "the pinnacle" and wanted it played under traditional rules.
Mills said they had also received negative feedback from Australian players about the pink ball, an innovation designed to make it more visible than the traditional red ball.
But he added that if Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket decided to proceed with the match then the players would participate, despite their reservations.
Cricket Australia says it's pushing ahead with the day-night Test plans.
