Unlucky Surrey's initiative continues a sequence of floodlit flops, including a singularly unsuccessful competition played on football grounds in 1981, and a farcical international sixes tournament, also at the Oval two years ago. That was abruptly abandoned when the organisers declared themselves bankrupt.
Happily, this latest failure has not deterred Surrey from staging similar evening events in future. Last night's match cost £100,000 to set up, but the club were adequately insured.
Warwickshire will use similar constructions for their day-night match with Somerset on July 23.
Worcestershire have given the strongest indication yet that Tom Moody, their Australian captain, is likely to be invited to become the county's player-coach next season, in succession to David Houghton, who leaves in August.
Eton and Harrow meet at Lord's todayin their 162nd match - the oldest fixture at cricket's headquarters, dating from 1805.
Today's cricket
11am start unless stated
Britannic County Ch'ship (2nd day of 4). - Southend: Essex v Derbys; Swansea: Glamorgan v Sussex; Leicester: Leics v Warwicks; Luton: Northants v Gloucs; Worcester: Worcs v Lancs; Headingley: Yorks v Middx.
(1st day of 4) .- The Oval: Surrey v Notts (12).
Tour Match. - (Last day of 3): The Parks: British Univs v Australians.
2ND XI CH'SHIP (last day of 3).- Boldon: Durham v Surrey. Kibworth: Leics v Hants. Moseley: Warwicks v Middx. North Perrott: Somerset v Lancs. Shirehampton: Gloucs v Northants. Sittingbourne: Kent v Worcs.