In Test-playing countries, a pink ball may be used instead of a red ball in traditional daytime matches as part of a trial to prevent play being interrupted by poor lighting.
The International Cricket Council approved the trial at its board meeting in Ahmedabad on Monday and said it would also conduct studies on lighting technology for match officials and stadiums “to reduce play failures due to low lighting”.
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Nasser Hussain analyzes the differences between the pink ball and the red ball.
Poor lighting often leads to play being halted in Test matches for safety reasons, and the red ball is more difficult for batsmen to see.
The pink ball, which is easier to see in floodlit stadiums, has so far only been used in day-night tests.
As part of the trial, teams must agree to a pink ball switch before the start of the game, which may be affected by low light.
The ICC Board of Directors also approved a recommendation to allow coaches or other staff to enter the stadium during drinks breaks to consult with players in one-day matches and T20 internationals.
Previously, messages from coaches could only be relayed to players who had drinks on the field.
Allowing coaches on the field during strategic timeouts has been a feature of T20 franchise leagues.
Harry Brook played for England in his last pink-ball Test match against Australia.
The first 25 men’s day-night Test was played between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide 11 years ago.
It has happened only once in England, when the hosts beat the West Indies at Edgbaston in 2017.
England are considering boycotting day-night Tests for the next Ashes tour in 2029-30, but the 150th Test between the countries in Melbourne next March will be a day-night Test.
Ben Stokes’ side lost by eight wickets to Australia in Brisbane in the last pink-ball Test in December.
The ICC Board of Directors also approved several other recommendations from the Chief Executive Committee, including:
- Ensure Hawk-Eye data is accessible to match officials when considering reports of illegal bowling activity.
- Updates playing conditions to allow managers or their designees to consult with teams during scheduled drinking breaks, requires 15-minute intervals in T20I matches, and requires batsmen to be ready when play resumes.
- Legside wide trial permanently adopted.
- Adopt all MCC cricket law changes effective from 1 October.
- The Official Cricket Classification update confirms that teams in the CWC Challenge League will continue to be able to play other List A limited-overs matches during each Challenge League tournament cycle.
England squad for first Test against New Zealand: Ben Stokes (captain), Rihan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Lu, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.
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