Cardiff to host first ever day-night Championship match

24 Jun 2017 | Cricket
It will be a momentous occasion in Cardiff on Monday (26 June), when Glamorgan face Derbyshire in the first ever day-night Specsavers County Championship match to be held in Wales.

The Specsavers County Championship has featured just one day-night game until now, a 2011 match between Kent and Glamorgan, which the Welsh County won by eight-wickets.

The games will use a pink Duke ball, rather than the traditional red, which will make the ball easier for the batsman to pick up through daylight, dusk and under floodlights.

The introduction of this new format was designed by the ECB to increase crowds and provide a trial for England players ahead of their August day-night Test against West Indies and Glamorgan Chief Executive and Director of Cricket, Hugh Morris is excited at the opportunities day-night cricket will bring.

“We are really excited to host day-night Championship cricket in Wales,” said Morris.

“It’s a concept that will boost the profile of the Specsavers County Championship and hopefully bring in more spectators to the game.

“It makes the game more accessible to the public by allowing supporters to watch their team after work or school and experience something new and exciting.

“We have already seen the success of day-night at Test level, bringing in larger crowds, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t do the same at County level too.”

“The players have been practicing with the pink ball in preparation for the match  and the fresh challenge and we are all really looking forward to seeing the game played under lights. It should be a great spectacle.”

Play will start at 2pm, rather than 11am, with a late lunch interval at 4pm, and tea scheduled for 6.40pm.

Tickets are available for £15 for all three sessions, £10 after lunch and just £5 if supporters attend after tea, with junior tickets priced at £3 throughout.