Preparations Underway for Historic Day-Night Test at Sabina Park

Excitement Builds for Day-Night Test

As the inaugural day-night Test at Sabina Park approaches, preparations are in full swing despite some challenges. The installation of new floodlights faced multiple delays, initially scheduled for early this year and then postponed to May, with the lights only recently being set up. However, during testing, it was noted that one area in front of the Kingston Cricket Club stand was inadequately lit.

Despite these hurdles, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) remains optimistic about completing the stadium in time for the third Test, which is set to commence on July 12. The final approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will depend on an inspection by officials just days before the match.

Additionally, the upgrade of the scoreboard and replay screen, funded by India, has encountered delays. Further work was necessary after issues arose during the dismantling of the old structure, extending the timeline beyond initial expectations.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) is hopeful that the third Test at Sabina Park will indeed be a Day-Night match. Following the Test series, the venue will also host the first two T20 Internationals of the series under lights. This event marks only the second day-night Test ever held in the Caribbean, the first being between West Indies and Sri Lanka in Barbados back in 2018.

Australia has a strong track record in day-night Tests, having secured victories in 12 of their last 13 matches. Their only loss came against West Indies at the Gabba last summer. With a pink-ball Test featured in each Australian home summer, they are undoubtedly the most experienced team in this format.