April 3, 2025: Cricket West Indies (CWI) representatives are hopeful that Sabina Park in Jamaica will host its first-ever day-night Test during the third match of the series between West Indies and Australia in July. Historically, Sabina Park has not staged any day-night international cricket due to concerns over the quality of lighting, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
However, Cricket Australia has shown strong support for the idea of a day-night Test, and officials from the Australian cricket board are expected to travel to Jamaica for a pre-tour inspection later this month. This would mark the first time Australia participates in a day-night Test match outside its home country.
CWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Dehring, expressed his optimism regarding the potential historic event, emphasizing that it hinges on the completion of a new lighting system at Sabina Park that meets the required specifications. Dehring assured that a robust monitoring and support system is in place to assist the Jamaica Cricket Association and the Jamaican government in achieving this goal.
“It is of course subject to the new lighting system that’s being implemented at Sabina Park, that it is finished in time and of course to specification. We have in place a very strong monitoring and support system to help the Jamaica Cricket Association and the Jamaican government achieve this. We are certainly looking forward to hosting the very first day-night match,” Dehring said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
West Indies had previously hosted a day-night Test against Sri Lanka in Barbados in 2018, and this will be their first home series in the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The series will see West Indies facing Australia in three Tests from June 25 to July 16, 2025.
The first Test of the series will take place at Kensington Oval in Barbados, starting on June 25, followed by the second Test at Grenada National Stadium on July 3. The series finale will be held at Sabina Park on July 12, where the day-night Test is scheduled, subject to the completion of the lighting system.
After the Test series, the West Indies and Australia will continue their cricketing encounter with five T20Is from July 20 to July 28. This series will also be significant as it marks Daren Sammy’s first Test assignment as the head coach of the West Indies, succeeding Andre Coley in this role.