The concept of day-night Test cricket is coming to Jamaica for the first time, with a match scheduled at Sabina Park in Kingston this July. West Indies will play against Australia in this pink-ball game.
Michael Holding, a Jamaican cricket legend, expressed his hopes for the event’s success.
Cricket authorities in the West Indies have confirmed the plans. Sabina Park is currently being upgraded with new lights to meet the requirements for pink-ball Test matches. Daley Redcliffe, head of Kingston Cricket Club (KCC), confirmed the day-night match in the summer, noting that the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is the main body to provide further details.
Courtney Francis, CEO of JCA, highlighted the historical significance of this Test match for Jamaica and the Jamaica Cricket Association. He mentioned the substantial investment by the Jamaican Government, in partnership with JCA/CWI (Cricket West Indies), to upgrade the lights and install a new electronic scoreboard. He stated that preparations are on track and they anticipate a successful Test match.
Sabina Park is jointly owned by Sabina Park Holdings, JCA, and KCC. These organizations are collaborating towards the Test match, having received funding assurance from the island’s sports minister for the upgrade project. Jamaica’s Minister of Sport Olivia Grange mentioned that funds would be advanced through the Sports Development Foundation, with reimbursement from the Minister of Finance. She also noted existing issues regarding Sabina Park Holdings, Kingston Cricket Club, and JCA concerning a functional entity for agreement signing. The ground already has lights, but upgrades are needed for day-night Tests.
This will be the second pink-ball Test in the Caribbean, following the first one in 2018 between West Indies and Sri Lanka in Barbados, which Sri Lanka won.
Day-night Tests have not become widely adopted, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) largely avoiding them, citing concerns about the longevity of pink-ball Tests.
Since the first day-night Test in 2015 between Australia and New Zealand, 23 such matches have been played. Australia has hosted the majority (13), and India has hosted three. New Zealand and UAE (hosted by Pakistan) have each hosted two, with England, South Africa, and West Indies each hosting one.
