AFP, Auckland :
The first Test between New Zealand and England, starting at Eden Park in Auckland on Thursday, is the maiden day-night Test in New Zealand and only the ninth worldwide.
AFP Sport looks at five things we have learned in the brief history of Test cricket under lights:
– Home advantage –
Sri Lanka are the only team to win a day-night Test away when they beat Pakistan by 68 runs in Dubai last year. The other seven have all been home-ground victories. Sri Lanka scored 482 and 96 against Pakistan who replied with 262 and 248.
– Baggy Greens in the pink –
Australia have played the most pink-ball Tests and are also the most successful side under day-night conditions with a 4-0 record. England and South Africa have both recorded a win and a loss, while the only other successful teams are Sri Lanka (1-0) and Pakistan (1-2).
– Making light of dusk –
Pakistan opener Azhar Ali showed changing light conditions need not be a problem when he compiled an unbeaten 302 against the West Indies in Dubai in October 2016. He batted for nearly 11 hours for what remains the highest score in a day-night Test. But he went for two in the second innings and five
in the first innings of his next Test under lights against Australia two months later.
– Pakistan pile on the runs –
The highest score in a pink-ball Test is Pakistan’s 579 for three declared in 155.3 overs when Azhar performed his heroics against the West Indies. Pakistan only managed 123 in the second innings — when Devendra Bishoo took eight for 49 — but held on to win by 56 runs.
– Kiwis’ call –
The first pink-ball Test was played between New Zealand and Australia at Adelaide Oval in November 2015. New Zealand won the toss, elected to bat and ended up losing by three wickets.
Cavaliers coach Lue to take break after health alert
AFP, Los Angeles
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is taking a break from coaching after health concerns forced him from courtside for the third time this season, the team said on Monday.
Lue left Saturday’s 114-109 victory over the Chicago Bulls at halftime after complaining of feeling unwell. His departure came just over a month after he left the court during a game against Orlando on February 6.
With assistant Larry Drew standing in on the sidelines, the Cavaliers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 124-117 on Monday night.
Drew said before the game that he knew Lue was reluctant to step away, calling him a “warrior”.
“He doesn’t want to miss games, he doesn’t want to miss practices,” Drew said. “But there comes a point where you have to take a step back and you really have to assess things.”
Lue said in a statement on Monday he was taking a break from coaching duties after revealing he had been suffering from mystery chest pains.
