Most Day/Night Tests played by a team
The inception of day nights Tests has added another dimension to cricket’s traditional format of the game. With the match being played under the lights, a pink ball is used as it has batter visibility compared to a traditional red ball used in Test matches. The Pink Ball often witnesses a quick conclusion to the game, often due to the extravagant movement on offer for the bowlers.
The first-ever pink ball Test was played between Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand and has since seen several teams indulge in the new variant of the longest format of the game. On that note, we list the teams with the most appearances in pink-ball Tests.
3. India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies – 4
There are five teams tied on four appearances in pink-ball Tests with India being the most successful of the lot. The Indian team have featured in four day-night Tests, winning three and losing one. Their only loss came against Australia in 2020 while they have won all the other three matches played on Indian soil.
New Zealand and Pakistan have won just one of their four pink-ball Tests, while Sri Lanka won two and lost two. The West Indies are yet to win a pink-ball game, having lost all four of their matches so far.
2. England – 7
England have appeared in the pink-ball Tests seven times, ending on the losing side on five occasions. England’s poor run in the pink-ball Test is a bit surprising, given the movement on offer under the lights. They won their latest pink-ball assignment against hosts New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui by 267 runs. Out of their five losses, three have come against fierce rivals Australia, one against India and one against the Kiwis.
1. Australia – 11
Australia, who hosted the first-ever pink-ball Test in 2015, have featured the most time in such fixtures. They played the first ever pink-ball Test against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand and went on to play ten more matches to date, maintaining a 100 per cent record as they have won all 11. Their last pink-ball fixture was against the West Indies in December 2022, which they won by a whopping 419 runs in Adelaide.
