London, jan. 16 : The MCC is looking into playing day-night Test matches under floodlights in a bid to tackle the credit crunch.

According to The Sun, the global financial meltdown has forced the guardians of cricket to think of fresh options to attract new fans.

Day-night Test matches are already being investigated in Australia, where the floodlit one-day game was launched during the 1970s.

One stumbling block is the ball, with the traditional red leather used in Test matches difficult to see under floodlights.

But experts Down Under are now experimenting with orange, yellow and pink ones in a bid to overcome the problem.

MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw said: "We have been around for more than 220 years. We've outlived world wars and revolutions, let alone the odd financial crisis.

"We may have to be creative to encourage fans back to Test matches - for example experimenting with day-night Tests." (ANI)