The migration of sporting events from daytime to night-time is relentless, with the ICC chairman, David Morgan, saying yesterday he expected Test match cricket will be played under lights within the next two years. Elsewhere, the organisers of the Tour of Spain announced the prologue to next year's race would start at 9pm.

No doubt some people will fear for the safety of cyclists cornering under the artificial light, and the shadows it casts, and no doubt there are some who will be appalled the Test match – the last bastion of cricketing tradition – will be played with a white ball. But there will be fewer complaints than you think.

That's because sport at night is better than sport during the day. Starting late is not without its drawbacks, especially for those who have travelled a distance and face a long journey home into the small hours, but look at the benefits. A night start means an entire day to anticipate what lies ahead.

A night start means a better chance of actually being able to attend (at least for those who have a day job). Best of all, the aesthetics of the night-time event are much, much better. If there is a more thrilling moment in the life of sports fan than the first glimpse of the floodlights in the distance then I'd like to know what it is