England, West Indies Likely to Play Third -Ever Day & Night Test

The match will be held in Birmingham in August 2017.

The pink ball is all set to be used in the 2017 calendar as England confirmed plans to host West Indies in a day and night test match. (Photo: AP)

England will become the third country to host a day-night test match when they meet West Indies in Birmingham next August.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and hosts Warwickshire County Cricket Club said in a joint statement on Thursday that the first Test of the series would be held under lights, probably with a 12 am local time start.

It’s a great opportunity to attract more fans to the game and see how staging test cricket in the afternoon and evening fits with working patterns and modern lifestyles. We think it can help attract different fans and families to Test cricket.

Tom Harrison, Chief Excecutive, ECB

A pink ball will be used during the August 17-21 match at Edgbaston and players will wear traditional test clothing.

As part of their preparations, West Indies are to play Derbyshire under lights with a pink ball from August 11-13.

Australia's day-night test against New Zealand in Adelaide last year was the first under lights. Pakistan will entertain West Indies in another in Dubai next week.

(With inputs from Reuters)