Windies Need Warm-Up Game Before Pink Ball Test Against India

Windies Cricket has confirmed they will play a pink-ball Test against India in the coming season, but the board has asked BCCI to accommodate them with a practice match ahead of the historic Test.

David Cameron, President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) in his email to Amitabh Choudhary has written the team would want a warm-up game.

He also added the first Test of the series should be played with the pink ball,

“As per our discussions, we would gladly agree to a day/night Test Match being the first one. Additionally, we would require the warm-up game to be under lights as well. Thanks, much and look forward to finalizing the schedule,” he wrote in his mail to Amitabh Choudhary, as per The Indian Express.

Since all teams play practice game when they visit other countries, accommodating Windies with a warm-up tie is an automatic decision. Though, it will be played with a pink ball under lights.

The second condition, which asks the first Test to be a pink ball, is also like to be met, as there is always a chance of recovery for both the teams in the second Test with the red cherry if they falter with the pink ball.

As per the schedule announced by BCCI, Rajkot or Hyderabad will host the historic match.

This will be the first time when India will play a pink ball Test match. Earlier, there were reports that India will make pink ball Test debut against Australia, next year.

Since the schedule was almost finalised, BCCI preferred to organise a pink ball Test in India prior to that series so as the players can get an idea of pink ball.

There are still a few players who haven’t played with a pink ball, including captain Virat Kohli.

Team India’s next season will begin soon after the end of IPL when India play Afghanistan in their first-ever Test match in Bengaluru.

Following that, India will travel to Ireland for two T20Is. Post a short tour of Ireland, India will land in England for more than two months. The voyage to England comprises three T20Is, three ODIs and five Test matches.

India will then play Windies at home followed by a tour of Australia and New Zeland. In the second leg of the home season, India will face Australia and Zimbabwe next year.

IPL will mark an end to team India’s home season, but India players will not have much time to relax due to World Cup, which starts in May 2019.

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