Day-night Test gets bumper TV ratings

In another indication that day-night Test cricket is here to stay, the thrilling finale to the inaugural match at Adelaide Oval on Sunday was watched by 3.19 million TV viewers in Australia.

The innovation - aimed at boosting crowd figures and interest in the five-day format - was a prime-time ratings hit for the Nine Network across all three days, with an average audience of 2.313 million fans watching Sunday's night session.

Australia defeated New Zealand by three wickets late on day three of the third Test to clinch the series 2-0.

Over 120,000 packed Adelaide Oval to give weight to the push for more pink-ball day-night cricket in the future.

The TV numbers made it Nine's highest-rating day of cricket in the 2015-16 season.

Nine won every quarter-hour block on Sunday - from 1.30pm until 9.30pm.

The event failed to match the peak audiences for the AFL and NRL grand finals this year.

However, it bettered the Seven Network's mark of 3.156m for this year's Melbourne Cup.

PEAK TV AUDIENCES THIS YEAR

4.4m - NRL grand final

4.218m - Cricket World Cup final

3.9m - AFL grand final

3.371m - Australian Open men's final

3.19m - Day three of day-night third Test

3.16m - Melbourne Cup