Cricket Australia on Tuesday said they will schedule more day-night Test matches following the overwhelming success of the recent trial against New Zealand staged under lights in Adelaide.
A total attendance of 123,736 fans over three days at Adelaide Oval along with 3.19 million prime-time viewers watching free-to-air television coverage on Sunday's final day confirmed the strong acceptance of the day-night Test played with a pink ball, CA chief executive James Sutherland said.
"At Cricket Australia we are about putting fans first so we are delighted that so many have embraced the day-night Test concept," he said.
Sutherland has spoken of plans to schedule day-night Tests when South Africa and Pakistan tour here late next year.
"I would strongly encourage other Test playing countries to enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to host their own day-night Test matches," he added.
Sutherland said an independent survey conducted with fans during the Adelaide Test reinforced acceptance of the day-night concept with 85 percent of those questioned at the ground supporting the idea. Almost as many (81 percent) claimed that all Adelaide Tests should now be played under lights.
Nathan, pattinson back for aus
Australia on Tuesday turned to James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile to replenish their diminishing fast bowling ranks for next week's opening Test against the West Indies.
Selectors named the pace duo in a 12-man squad for the December 10-14 Hobart Test following a stress fracture foot injury to Mitchell Starc on top of the recent retirement of Mitchell Johnson.
The panel is also mulling the pressing need to give Adelaide Test man-of-the-match Josh Hazlewood some time off to refresh as Australia face a three-Test series against the West Indies and two return Tests in New Zealand in February.
Pattinson, 25, played the last of his 13 Tests against South Africa in March 2014 with his career stalled by chronic back and hamstring issues.
Coulter-Nile, 28, has been included despite not playing any domestic Sheffield Shield matches so far this summer because of a shoulder injury.
He should have bowled for Western Australia last weekend but was given a one-match ban for showing dissent at an umpire's decision in the domestic second XI league, meaning he has not played first-class cricket since the Sheffield Shield final in March.
Senior quick Peter Siddle, who has become even more important to Australia's plans with the pressures on the pace brigade, experienced back problems during last weekend's day-night third Test against New Zealand in Adelaide.
Given Australia's current fast bowling predicament, Marsh was asked if he had considered talking Johnson out of retirement. "I thought about it," he said jokingly. "No, you have to respect a bloke when he retires. "There's a reason why he wanted to retire and he didn't want to play any more, it's simple as that. You don't go there."
Australia Squad
David Warner, Joe Burns, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Nathan lyon, Nathan Coulter-Nile.