Sabina Park Set to Host Its First Day-Night Test as Cricket West Indies Aims for Pink-Ball Match Against Australia

Cricket West Indies (CWI) is hopeful that Sabina Park in Jamaica will host its first-ever day-night Test when Australia visits for the third match of their Test series in July 2025. If the plan materializes, it will be only the second day-night Test match ever played in the Caribbean, following the 2018 pink-ball Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka in Barbados.

Floodlight Upgrade Key to Day-Night Test Approval

The scheduling of this historic day-night fixture is contingent upon the successful completion of floodlight upgrades at Sabina Park. The venue has never hosted an international day-night match due to its inadequate lighting system, which does not meet international cricket standards.

CWI officials have confirmed that the work to install new floodlights is underway, but it remains to be seen whether it will be completed on time. Cricket Australia has already expressed support for the proposed day-night format, and officials from Australia will visit Jamaica this month for a pre-tour inspection to assess the progress of the lighting installations.

Chris Dehring, a key figure in West Indies cricket administration, provided an update on the situation during a press conference.

“The Australians have agreed for it to be a day-night Test match. It is, of course, subject to the new lighting system being completed at Sabina Park in time and meeting specifications. We have a strong monitoring and support system in place to assist the Jamaica Cricket Association and the Jamaican government in achieving this milestone,” Dehring stated.

Delays in Lighting Installation

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) President Dr. Donovan Bennett had previously mentioned that the initial goal was to have the floodlights installed by January 2025. However, delays have pushed the timeline further, raising concerns about whether the stadium will be ready in time.

Bennett explained that while acquiring the lights was a challenge, ensuring their compatibility with the existing infrastructure at Sabina Park proved to be an even bigger hurdle.

“We were supposed to get the lights from a local supplier who would source them from a manufacturer in England. However, there were technical challenges. We considered getting more affordable lights from China, but they were too heavy for the existing stands at Sabina Park. The wind forces on the pylons would have posed a major issue,” Bennett said in an earlier interview.

Australia’s First Overseas Day-Night Test

If the match goes ahead as planned, it will be a historic occasion for Australia as well. The team has never played a day-night Test outside of home conditions, despite being dominant in pink-ball matches. Australia has won 12 of their 13 day-night Tests, with their only defeat coming at the hands of West Indies in a dramatic contest at the Gabba in January 2024, where Shamar Joseph’s sensational spell led the visitors to a famous win.

Recalling that match, Dehring expressed optimism about playing another day-night Test against Australia.

“First and foremost, if memory serves me right, the last time we beat Australia, it was a day-night Test. Maybe it’s a superficial example to use, but perhaps it’s a good omen,” he said.

Australia’s First Test Tour to West Indies in a Decade

The three-match series will mark Australia’s first Test tour of the Caribbean since 2015. Back then, they played a Test at Sabina Park, securing a commanding 277-run victory, with Steve Smith scoring 199 runs.

This upcoming series will also be the first for both teams in the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle. Before heading to the Caribbean, Australia will face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June 2025.

Will Sabina Park Be Ready?

The fate of the day-night Test now hinges on whether the lighting upgrade at Sabina Park is completed in time. If the project encounters further delays, CWI may have to revert to a traditional red-ball match played during the day. However, CWI and JCA remain hopeful that the necessary infrastructure improvements will be finalized, allowing Sabina Park to host its first-ever pink-ball Test under lights.

For now, all eyes will be on the venue’s preparations as Australia and West Indies gear up for their historic series.

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