In a surprising twist, Australian batting maestro Steve Smith has emerged as an unlikely supporter of England's campaign to scrap the pink-ball Test from the next Ashes series on Australian soil. However, the push from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) faces a formidable barrier in the form of Cricket Australia's existing broadcast commitments.
The Push to Scrap the Pink-Ball Ashes Fixture
Following Australia's 4-1 series victory, reports from the English press indicated the day-night Test was on the chopping block for England's next tour during the 2029-30 summer. The ECB's primary concern revolves around competitive balance. England faced a monumental challenge after losing the second Ashes Test under lights at the Gabba by a hefty eight wickets, a deficit from which no English side has ever recovered to win a five-Test Ashes series.
The statistics heavily favour Australia in the day-night format. The Gabba defeat was England's sixth loss in eight pink-ball Tests, while Australia has dominated, losing just one of the 15 day-night matches they have played.
Smith's Unlikely Alliance and CA's Broadcast Reality
While shifting his focus to Big Bash League duties with the Sydney Sixers, Australian vice-captain Steve Smith voiced his agreement with the ECB's position. "I'm not a big fan of the pink ball, I can't see the thing very well," Smith admitted. He questioned the necessity of the fixture in an Ashes series, pointing to the massive crowds drawn by the traditional red-ball games, which averaged 47,754 spectators – the largest for any Test series in Australia.
Despite this, Cricket Australia is not prepared to relinquish the day-night Test, a cornerstone of their broadcast strategy. The fixture allows broadcasters to screen Test cricket in prime time across all Australian time zones, a particularly valuable slot if played before school holidays. Three sessions of the Gabba Test attracted an average television audience of two million viewers across Channel Seven and pay-TV.
Crucially, CA is contractually bound to stage day-night Test matches every summer for the duration of their current broadcast deal, which extends past the next home Ashes and into 2031.
The Future of the Pink Ball in Ashes Cricket
During the Brisbane Test, both Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg and head of events Joel Morrison insisted the day-night concept was here to stay, including for the next Ashes series. Smith, who will be nearly 40 by that series and expects to be retired from Test cricket, conceded his support might be symbolic. "More than happy (for it to be scrapped), but I don't think I'll be around for that," he said.
Smith acknowledged the pink-ball Test has its place, particularly on batsman-friendly wickets like Adelaide's, but criticised its volatile nature. "It's such a different game. If you get on the right side of things... the game can turn really quickly," he noted.
The next scheduled day-night clash between the two rivals is a one-off Test in March 2027 at the MCG, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first Test at the iconic ground. For the marquee Ashes series beyond that, the battle between tradition, competitive equity, and broadcast economics is set to continue.
