D/N Test may be part of answer to reviving traditional format: Taufel

Former ICC Elite Panel umpire Simon Taufel feels playing D/N Tests could be a step towards reviving cricket's traditional format. Initially reluctant to embrace concept, India will play ir first pink ball day/night Test from vember 22-26, opponents being Bangladesh and venue iconic Eden Gardens. Newly elected BCCI President Sourav Ganguly made historic anuncement just days after he took over reins of BCCI. 

"It's about trying new things and have an open mind. re's question that Test cricket is facing a challenge at moment. I'm t sure if day/night Test is only answer to promote game. It may be part of answer. But unless we try, we would t kw," Aussie said on sidelines of his book launch, 'Finding Gaps'. "It has worked in or parts of world, Adelaide particularly. I've been to day/night Test re. Certainly, it's very popular. I hope people here will approach this Test in Kolkata with an open mind. It may be part of solution."

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Simon Taufel for D/N Tests

Widely regarded as one of best umpires, Taufel, who took early retirement, was a picture of cour and conviction as he attended launch despite his mor's demise on Thursday. "Eight weeks ago my mor was in good health, tough lady, problem at all. Two days ago, on Thursday, she succumbed to cancer," 48-year-old said, adding that he knew his mor would have wanted him to keep his commitment come what may. "In 72 years of her life, she had sacrificed a lot for me to get me to this point. I feel fortunate. My family is proud of legacy and I cant let it go away. "Success is never achieved on your own, you have to have good people around you. I'm very fortunate to have many good people around me," five-time ICC Umpire of Year said.

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Taufel wants Ganguly to play a proactive role

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, man behind introduction of B/N pink-ball Test cricket in India, said Taufel must play a more pro-active role and educate umpires. "I think he can still be involved in educating young umpires at a time where techlogy has completely taken over and some decisions and umpires are really made to look stupid when y give a decision only to see it turn around," Ganguly said at launch. "It's a new life for Simon. At a time I must say your entire generation of players and umpires respected you and that's what remains at end of day. I thoroughly enjoyed it at or end. In sport, re's retake." 

Taufel quit umpiring in international cricket after 2012 World T20, taking took up role of umpire performance and training manr with ICC. But in October 2015, he resigned from that role as well. Taufel was earlier hired by BCCI to train Indian umpires. "I've seen him closely at peak and when techlogy had just started to come in. He just stood out. He represented a generation when re were some exceptional cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Waugh. "He had to set up his standards very high. In an era where umpires were judged by a number of mistakes, Simon was just exceptional," BCCI chief said.

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