England's complaints about having to play under floodlights on the fourth day of the final Test at Auckland have been dismissed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Nasser Hussain had been unhappy at having to field in conditions which he felt put his fielders at risk. "It was very difficult to see the ball," he told Wisden.com. "The guys on the boundary were saying they had almost no chance of seeing it once it went between the stands and the lights. I had a chat with Venkat about it and he told me that there's nothing in the regulations that allows them to stop play because the fielding side can't see the ball properly."

But ICC general manager Dave Richardson said that players had to show more flexibility. "We must be mindful that players' careers are at stake," he said, before adding, "International players, however, will understand that whilst the traditional values of our game remain paramount, they are in the entertainment business. That demands flexibility and adaptability from them.

"The fourth day's play in Auckland had over 400 runs and 16 wickets. It is action of this kind that provides value for money and keeps the world's broadcast and print media interested in the game."

In May 2001 the use of floodlights during Test matches became mandatory when switching them on would enable play to continue where bad light would have otherwise halted play. That followed a two-year trial period.

ICC Regulation 3.3 states: "If in the opinion of the umpires, natural light is deteriorating to an unfit level, they shall authorize the ground authorities to use the available artificial lighting so that the match can continue in acceptable conditions."

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