Australia primed to play first day-night Test overseas... and it’d be perfect for Gabba revenge

Australia is primed to play its first day-night Test away from home, with a chance for revenge after Shamar Joseph’s heroics for the West Indies at the Gabba.

The Aussies will embark on a three-Test tour of the Caribbean for the Frank Worrell Trophy, beginning on June 25, with the third match to be played under lights if an upgrade at Jamaica’s Sabina Park goes ahead as planned.

It would be the first time Australia has played a pink ball Test overseas, having won 12 of 13 played across Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart.

The only loss was at the Gabba in late January 2024, when Joseph took 7-68 in the fourth innings to clinch an eight-run win, the West Indies’ first Test victory in Australia since 2003.

Cricket Australia scheduling and operations boss Peter Roach told cricket.com.au: “We’re open to it.

“We’re awaiting further information from Cricket West Indies about the successful installation of the new lights at Sabina Park.

“But we encourage teams to play day-night cricket here in Australia once a season so when an opportunity to reciprocate comes up, we are very supportive.

“The planned lighting specifications look more than adequate to host day-night Test cricket and provided these are met then CWI and CA are aligned on playing the match as a day-night Test.”

Shamar Joseph of the West Indies celebrates victory after taking the wicket of Josh Hazlewood of Australia during day four of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and West Indies at The Gabba on January 28, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Jamaican venue has only hosted three Tests in the last six years with the facilities falling below the standard of others in the region. It did not host any matches in last year’s T20 World Cup.

But if the lights are upgraded the venue will also be able to hold the first two T20s of the five-match series, to be played after the Tests, at night.

“Sabina Park has been in decline over the past few years,” Jamaica Cricket Association president Dr Donovan Bennett told SportsMax.

“We’re without a scoreboard and the present lighting we have is inadequate to hold international cricket (at night).

“The entire lighting system needs to be and will be changed out in time for the Australian tour … we definitely need to have the lights up and running before then.”