OLLIE'S NOT TICKLED PINK

England aim to end losing streak in day-night Tests but Robinson is no fan of the 'gimmicky' format

ENGLAND are aiming to put their day/night Tests disasters to bed in New Zealand this week.

But seamer Ollie Robinson has given a thumbs down to "gimmicky" pink-ball cricket.

Greeted by heavy wind and rain brought in by Cyclone Gabrielle and against a backdrop of safety warnings from the national weather agencies, the tourists arrived in the coastal city of Mount Maunganui yesterday.

How badly the region will be impacted is likely to be determined over the next 24 hours.

The series opener is set for the Bay Oval on Thursday.

Practice sessions over the next three days could be by the scrapped if facilities are compromised cyclone, meaning even less time for bowlers on both sides to get to grips with the pink Kookaburra ball.