Australia and England have been going head-to-head for the Ashes for 134 years, but Australian captain Steve Smith believes it's time to break tradition when it comes to the the longest rivalry in Test cricket.
After long being against a day-night Test being played during an Ashes series, Smith is now all for the idea, with the possibility to at the very least be considered for the next series in Australia next summer.
“I think in Adelaide it could certainly work,” he told AAP.
“The wicket down there, what (curator) Damian (Hough) does with that wicket and all that, he knows what he’s doing. It could certainly work there.
“I’ve always said we need to get the product as right as we can and the ball in as good a shape as we can and I think they’ve made some good improvements with that.
“This year’s game was outstanding. Slightly less grass than the year before and it was almost the perfect Test wicket. There was enough in it for everyone; both bat, ball, the ball spun.
“So it was a wicket for everyone and that’s what you want to see; an even contest.
“I think it’s certainly here to stay.”
After beating South Africa in the day-night Test in Adelaide, Australia are now two wins from two under lights, after smashing New Zealand in three days last summer.
Coach Darren Lehmann wasn't sold on the day-night Test following the match against the Kiwis last year, but after improving the pink-ball regulations this time around, Lehmann can't see why anything would change.
“We said last year, ‘make sure we get the ball and pitch right’,” Lehmann told 5aa.
“And good credit to CA (Cricket Australia) and the ground staff to get it right. There wasn’t too many complaints.
“I think it’d stay day-nighter (for the Ashes), from what I’ve seen.”
