Cricket to trial pink balls at bad light stoppages

Pink balls will be used to limit play lost to bad light in Test matches in a trial introduced by the International Cricket Council.

The pink ball has been used in day-night Test matches since 2015, but has not before been interchangeable with the traditional red ball.

The ICC announced the introduction of the trial on Monday and is still working through a timeline for its introduction.

It will not come in time to be used during the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, beginning on Thursday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is working with the ICC to understand how the trial would work.

Both teams involved in a Test have to give prior agreement that a pink ball can be used in instances of bad light.

Halting play in Test cricket for poor light has become an increasing frustration for players, supporters and broadcasters in an age when most venues have floodlights.

In 2024, more than half of the first day of England’s third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval was lost to bad light.

Speaking at the time, former England captain Michael Vaughan said: “You go to a pink ball and carry on. Teams will have to accept they get unlucky. All these ideas, you’re not going to appease everyone. I just want to see them carry on.”

The ICC has not specified the length of the trial, but the governing body has said it will work with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to research lighting technology for match officials and venues.

There have been day-night Tests in every Ashes series in Australia since 2017-18, with the home side winning all four.

England are considering rejecting a day-night Test for their next Ashes tour in 2029-30, but the 150th anniversary Test between Australia and England in Melbourne next March will be a day-nighter.

The ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad also approved the allowance of head coaches to enter the field of play during drinks breaks in T20 internationals, mirroring a trend from franchise leagues. (BBC sport)