Joel Garner backs day-night Test idea

London, August 16: Former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner said day-night cricket was an "exciting" innovation which could boost attendances at Test matches.

England face the West Indies in three Tests - starting with a day-night Test at Edgbaston on August 17 .

"If it means that you're going to get full houses and you're going to get exciting cricket then yes, I don't have a problem with it," Garner said as reported by the Skysports.

"The game is moving towards what the consumer needs. It is exciting, it's different and I welcome it. This is a way of saving time and getting people to come out to the cricket."

"You have people going to work who might be more prepared to lose half a day, rather than giving a whole day, to come and watch the cricket. That might be one of the reasons behind it. It's innovative - when they first introduced day-night cricket in the seventies a lot of people weren't with it but now they've got it on an ongoing basis," said the 64-year-old.

Garner said the visitors could cause a major upset against England. "You come prepared to win, you don't come to just turn up," he said. "The whole idea is to be competitive, try and perform and try to win the Test series.

"I would say it's young team but at the same time they are hungry for success. If they go and perform to the level that they are expected then I think we're going to have a great series and maybe an upset."