The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) does not plan to accept any pink-ball day/night Tests as part of the Ashes in Australia going forward. The decision comes after Ben Stokes and co. lost the AUS vs ENG 2nd Ashes Test by 8 wickets in what was a one-sided competition. As per reports, England made up their mind after discussions between ECB and Cricket Australia officials in a post-Ashes review.
No more pink-ball Tests for England?
As per BBC Sport, the discussions between senior officials of the ECB and the CA were focused on maintaining the Ashes as a blue-ribbon series going forward, especially at a time when Test cricket was under scrutiny. Although Australia and England are scheduled to play a one-off pink-ball Test in 2027 at the MCG to commemorate 150 years of Test cricket, the report claims that an ex-Australian cricketer has advised CA to convert it to a red-ball game. The report claims that England plan to reject any proposals to play Test cricket under lights when the side tours Australia for the next Ashes series in 2029/30.
Prior to the Brisbane Test, England had last played a day-night Test way back in 2023 against England where they emerged victorious by 267 runs against New Zealand. Overall, England have played 8 pink-ball Tests so far since its inception in 2015 and have managed win just twice. They have lost all 4 day/night fixtures played against Australia, have lost one that they have played against India. Their only success in pink-ball Tests came against New Zealand and West Indies.
Australia, on the other hand, have won 14 out of the 15 pink-ball Tests that they have played to date. Their only loss came against the West Indies at The Gabba in 2022, thanks to Shamar Joseph’s heroics.
