Adelaide: Ian Healy, who retired from international cricket in late 1999 as the most successful wicketkeeper in Test cricket, spoke to The Telegraph at the Adelaide Oval on Friday afternoon.

Adam Gilchrist and, then, Mark Boucher have overtaken Healy and, so, he's now at No.3 with 395 dismissals.

Excerpts...

Q The day will be remembered as one which saw another first in cricket, the start of the maiden Day/Night Test... Your thoughts?

A Look, the players have found the pink ball to be fine, the cameras can pick it up, the spectators should find it a good contrast... So, why not? I love the pink ball and this D/N Test offers a really exciting option in our summer.

Would you have enjoyed 'keeping to the pink ball?

I should have, yes.

But, going forward, can D/N Tests be held across all Test-playing nations - in England and in New Zealand, too?

One can't say till it has been tried. Dew could be a factor, but the dew may actually be helpful when the pink ball is used... One needs to see first, but I expect all Test-playing countries to have one venue which would be ideal for a D/N Test. Cricket has evolved and seen so many changes, why not one more? From uncovered wickets, we've moved to covered ones, ODIs and T20Is have come up. D/N Tests would be part of this evolution.

What did you make of the first over (from Mitchell Starc) in a D/N Test?

It was good. There's a cushioning of grass on the wicket.

Do you now see D/N Tests becoming a regular feature in Australia?

Perhaps, one each summer... I also like the South Australia Cricket Association's initiative to introduce 'twilight' tickets, allowing entry for the last two sessions. Obviously, the prices get reduced. You do need to try a few things to make Test cricket more exciting for the spectators. Besides, the manufacturers of the pink ball need to get it to perform as close as possible to the red ball. The leather can be dyed red, not so in the pink colour. The colour has to be painted on the leather, to get the ball to shine.

Is Test cricket's very existence threatened?

I don't think so, though it's a fact that attendances suffer when it's not an iconic series. But there are reasons why fans don't come to Test cricket and they need to be addressed. Having session-wise tickets is an idea which could be considered. The TV ratings, however, remain good. That suggests there are enough people interested in Test cricket... Cricket makes a lot of money from TV rights, it needs to give something back to the spectators. When they pay money, they deserve a better experience.

What's your take on Australia's recent performances in Test cricket?

We've done well, except in the Ashes, earlier this year. Technique just deserted our batsmen and, despite working so hard on his back, Michael Clarke couldn't get among the runs. The batsmen did have the technique for conditions in England, but didn't use them till it was much too late. Of course, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad bowled beautifully.

Wasn't it odd for Clarke to announce retirement with one Test remaining?

Well, Michael had been struggling with form, his wife was pregnant... Managing his back had become a grind and he didn't have the energy left... There were issues... Michael's served us well, so I didn't have a problem with his timing... Also, we seem to be taking things for granted, but Phil Hughes's death has impacted many, including Michael, in a significant way.

The day also marked the first death anniversary of Hughes...

Phil's best mates... David Warner, Starc and Michael are still trying to cope with the tragedy... Phil had a rare injury, with the ball hitting exactly where the cerebral artery was (at the back of the head). One millimetre this side or that and he would have survived, but... I couldn't believe it. Perhaps, 10 batsmen have been hit in more or less the same region since, yet have survived... A year on, it's still unbelievable that someone can die after being hit at the back of the head. Phil's artery cracked.

Is Steve Smith on the right track as captain?

Steve is... He's a forthright captain and is learning.

How are Australia's 'keepers doing?

Peter Nevill is doing very well and I see him as our Test 'keeper, with Matthew Wade behind the stumps in the ODIs and in the T20Is. You probably won't notice Nevill, which is a good thing, but he's very efficient... 'keepers don't get noticed unless they drop a catch or do something spectacular.

Generally, internationally, no one 'keeper really stands out...

That's because 'keeper's need time to develop. Give them two-three years (at the highest level), at least. It takes time to be known as a master in the craft of standing behind the wickets... Mistakes have to be cut out... Too often now, 'keepers make mistakes, but nobody says anything.

Well, why is that?

Probably because most teams put a big emphasis on a 'keeper's ability to bat. Perhaps, that's why standards seem to have fallen. I strongly believe that we undersell the value of a good 'keeper in the T20 format. One great stumping or a spectacular catch could make such a huge difference because the overs are so few.

Some, back in India, are of the view that Mahendra Singh Dhoni should retire from ODIs and T20Is, too... Your take?

Cricket needs Dhoni... Give him the space to play for as long as he wants. To me, Dhoni's a genius... He finds a way to do a good job as a 'keeper and is one of the finest hitters the sport has seen. He can also build an innings.

You may not have seen much of Wriddhiman Saha... Whatever you have, what are your impressions?

Saha's a good 'keeper... Give him three years and he'll probably be one of the best around.

What's impressive about Saha?

Technique, both standing back and close. Saha's got to be patient, turn in a couple of spectacular performances and look for consistency.

With the T20 format catching on in a big way, would your message for young 'keepers be any different now than what it was, say, five years ago?

Interesting question... Youngsters have to focus on where the demand lies... Variety with the bat and having a power game would definitely help, but you can't do without the basics of the game.

Finally, then, what would you say?

Have more flexibility with the bat, without sacrificing the craft you've set out to master.