Thaindian News

Kolkata, Nov 15 (IANS) The loss of over an hour of playing time in the second India-West Indies Test match at the Eden Gardens Tuesday led to calls from players and officials for use of floodlights in the longer form of the game.

With the use of floodlights not being mentioned in the playing conditions for the Tests, play was affected once in the morning and later called off 52 minutes before the scheduled close due to insufficient light following overcast conditions.

I have always felt that (the need of floodlights).. It’s quite challenging. It’s never the same as natural light. There are shadows around a red ball, playing under lights is challenging,” stylish Indian bat V.V.S. Laxman said when asked about the possible use of floodlights in Tests.

West Indies team manager Richie Richardson, who had in the past led the team as a player, welcomed the use of technology in any form for bettering the game.

“I believe in technology… I fully support the use of lights in Test cricket… Anything that can assist the game is always welcome. If there are lights, why not use it?” asked the dashing batsman who played international cricket from 1983 to 1996.

He said the crowds come to the ground to see the players in action. “You don’t want to be on and off (the field) with the light getting a bit low. This affects the concentration of the players.”