Pink ball may replace red ball completely in Test cricket to overcome visibility issue: Report

Ball manufacturer Duke claims that they have improved upon the pink ball to make it last 80 overs.

Pink balls might be used in day Test matches going forward | GettyLosing overs because of bad light is quite a common thing in Test cricket across the world. Last month, a similar incident happened during the Sydney Test between Australia and South Africa as play was lost despite the floodlights in operation.

The main reason behind it was the visibility issue. Notably, the red-ball is not properly visible when it gets darker and artificial lights aren’t sufficient enough as well.

In order to overcome this issue, ball manufacturer Duke claims that they have improved upon the pink ball to make it last 80 overs, which means that it can be used for day Test matches.

As of now, pink balls are only utilized in day-night Tests but they have been criticized for becoming too soft too soon.

Speaking to the Herald and The Age, Duke managing director Dilip Jajodia said they have solved the problem.

“I have a pink ball that is superior to anything else on the market, which will last 80 overs,” Jajodia stated.

“There is no reason why we shouldn’t move on to pink balls for red-ball cricket all the time. It doesn’t have to be day-night, it can be during the day, there’s no problem," he added.

Red balls have been used in the traditional format ever since it was first played in 1877. However, the concept of day-night Test was introduced in 2015 to attract more audience. It was then pink ball came into the picture to ensure visibility throughout the course of action.

“There is always the question of tradition, ‘we must have a red ball for red-ball cricket, we can’t have anything else’. But you’re in the entertainment industry. There are a lot of people who are paying a lot of money and they’re getting shortchanged," Jajodia said.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 05 Feb, 2023

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