Cricket Australia have drawn up plans to trial day-night Test matches, following on from the success of limited-over internationals under the floodlights. James Sutherland, the CA chief executive, believes the spectacle would introduce a wider audience to the game.

“I can’t speak for the International Cricket Council (ICC) and I can’t speak for other member countries,” said Sutherland. “But it makes sense to me that the game becomes more accessible by virtue of it being played at an hour where more people can watch it.

“That’s got to be good for cricket and the ICC member countries. We’re pleased to be at the forefront of ensuring the game continues to thrive.”

Sutherland believes that CA will look to trial day-night Test cricket within two years.

“I don’t see why in the next few years before the end of the decade, we can’t at least start trialling Test cricket at night,” he added. “Test cricket is stronger today than it’s been in the last 20 years. It’s in fantastic shape. We need to make sure our problems stay contemporary and popular – and we want to grow the game. We want Test cricket to be more popular.”

Whilst the cricketing authorities in Australia are championing the idea, the players appear to be on the other side of the fence. Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, has concerns over the viability of day-night Test cricket, mainly over the visibility of the ball.

“The ball would be one of the biggest issues, I was talking to a few of the Australian last night about it,” Ponting said. “Every captains meeting I’ve sat at for the past five years, the captains have always been really concerned about Tests under lights when the light starts to fade and we’re now talking about playing the majority of the days play under lights.”

Meanwhile, Shane Warne, the former Australia spinner, believes Michael Clarke should be groomed to take over from Ricky Ponting as the next Australia captain.

Adam Gilchrist, the wicketkeeper, is currently the vice-captain, but Warne believes Clarke, the middle-order batsman, should take that role to give him experience for when he eventually takes over from Ponting.

“The time is right for Michael Clarke to take over as the vice-captain of Australia,” said Warne, the Hampshire captain.