The Day/Night test matches have given a completely new dimension to the test cricket, making the format more interesting. Scoring in never easy in Day/Night tests, especially under the lights. The Pink ball does become tricky for batsmen, troubling them more than usual.
The scrambled black seam of the Pink Ball is quite tough to handle. Under the lights, it is difficult to pick the lengths clearly, due to the black seam of the ball. It was also clearly visible in the first Day/Night Test between Australia and India as well.
The role of the wicketkeepers is quite arduous, particularly in the longest format of the game. The wicketkeepers, especially in the Day/Night Test matches, usually arrive at the challenging time on the crease. Moreover, they are not specialist batsman as well, which makes their job more difficult.
This article features a summarized list of those five elite wicketkeepers to score a half-century in the Day/Night Test matches:
Tim Paine (AUS):
The Australian captain, Tim Paine, has scored two fifties in the Day/Night Tests, with the latest one coming in the recently concluded test match against India. Walking in at a low score of 79/5 in the second innings, Paine scored a sensational knock of 73* and pulled out his team from the troubled waters. The fighting 99-balls knock saw ten fours from Paine’s bat.
This innings denied India to take a big first innings lead, which also helped Australia in winning the match. Paine’s 50+ scores in Pink Ball matches have come while playing in Adelaide. The 36-years old was also adjudged as Man of the Match for his match-winning knock in the first Test match against India.
Shane Dowrich (WI):
The Caribbean batsman, Shane Dowrich, scored his only fifty in the Day/Night Test matches at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in 2018. After losing five wickets at the low score of 53, West Indies sent in Shane Dowrich at No.6 against Sri Lanka. Dowrich, along with Jason Holder, formed an excellent partnership of 115 runs and helped West Indies post a fighting total on the board.
The right-handed batsman assembled 71 runs off 132 balls, with the help of nine fours in the first innings. Despite the terrific innings of Shane Dowrich and Jason Holder, West Indies lost this third Test match against the Asian nation, Sri Lanka. Shane Dowrich was awarded the Man of the Series award for his performances throughout the series.
Sarfaraz Ahmed (PAK):
The Pakistani batsman, Sarfaraz Ahmed, has also scored two fifties in the Day/Night Tests, with the highest score being 68 against Sri Lanka. The Dinesh Chandimal-led side, Sri Lanka, posted a huge total of 482 in the first innings – thanks to the marvellous knock of 196 runs by Dimuth Karunaratne. In reply, the Pakistan team got bundled out on a low total of 262.
Walking in at the score of 52/5 in the fourth innings, Sarfaraz Ahmed scored a hard-fought 68 off 130 balls and formed a crucial partnership with the centurion, Asad Shafiq at Dubai. However, the knock went in vain as Pakistan fell short by 68 runs in this second Test match. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq, however, got the well-deserved acknowledgement for their strenuous knocks.
Peter Nevill (AUS):
Peter Nevill played a stunning knock of 66 runs against New Zealand in the first-ever Day/Night Test match at Adelaide. New Zealand, after winning the toss, decided to bat first in the historic Test match. The Kiwis managed to post a modest total of 202 on the scoreboard.
In reply, Australia lost their top-order in quick succession, putting Nevill under huge pressure. But, the 35-years old showed grit and patience, taking his team to a decent total. This knock helped Australia register a famous victory by 3 wickets over New Zealand.
Niroshan Dickwella (SL):
The fifth and last player to feature in this aristocracy list is Sri Lankan batsman, Niroshan Dickwella. His knock of 64 runs against Australia was surely one of his knocks in Test cricket. Dickwella, facing the fiery Australian bowling line-up, hit 6 fours and a six in this attacking 78-balls innings in Brisbane.
The left-handed batsman scored nearly 50% of the team’s first innings total as no other batsman could cross the 25-runs mark from the Lankan batting unit in the first innings. Despite his vigorous knock, Sri Lanka failed to even put a fight against the Aussies. The Australian pacer, especially Pat Cummins, ensured that Australia wins the game easily.
