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England pace bowler Ollie Robinson says Test cricket does not need “gimmicky” day-night matches.<\/span><\/p>\n England’s first Test in a two-match series against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Thursday (01:00 GMT) is a day-nighter, played under floodlights with a pink ball.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n “There’s nothing wrong with Test cricket to start with,” said Robinson. <\/span><\/p>\n “I’m not a massive fan of the pink ball. I don’t think we need to play these pink-ball games.”<\/span><\/p>\n Day-night matches are common in limited-overs cricket and were introduced to the longest form of the game with the aim of raising the profile of Test cricket, both by increasing attendances and TV audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n There have been 20 day-night men’s Tests since the first in 2015, played in seven different countries by 10 different teams.<\/span><\/p>\n They have proved popular in Australia, where 11 day-nighters have taken place, all won by the home side, including two in the Ashes series of 2021-22. There have also been three women’s day-night Tests in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n England’s men have played six day-nighters and have won just one – their first and the only one they have played at home – against West Indies in 2017. In the only day-night Test they have played in New Zealand, in 2018, they were bowled out for 58 as part of defeat by an innings.<\/span><\/p>\n And Robinson, 29, believes England’s enterprising style of cricket that has seen them win nine of their past 10 matches is enough to attract supporters to the Test format.<\/span><\/p>\n “It is bit gimmicky. They’re trying to get crowds and change the game a little bit but the way England are playing Test cricket at the moment, I don’t think that needs to happen,” said Robinson. <\/span><\/p>\n “We could stick to how we’re going and we’re entertaining people as we are, so I’m not sure if it’s necessary.”<\/span><\/p>\n