The white ball doesn't last as long

it gets soft and dirty very quickly. Part of the sublety of the long form of the game is playing with the older ball, 80 or more overs old.

The floodlights at the Rose Bowl have been used twice this year in county championship (4 day) matches. The first time (I was there) was against Durham, when the light faded on the third evening of a rain affected match. Tremlett hit 62, a career high, just swinging the bat and Durham dropped two or three catches they would normally have taken, baling the lights. That little innings was enough to get Hants back in the match and created the platform for a great win the next day.

If memory serves, the second occasion was against Sussex and the lights were used in the morning, with Sussex losing several quick wickets, which they also put down to the effect of the lights.

Posted By: watfordcanary, Aug 21, 18:09:30