AHMEDABAD, India (Kashmir English): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday said it would trial the use of pink balls in Test matches to maximise play during bad light.
The red balls usually used in Test cricket are not easily visible in fading light, while white balls used in limited-overs matches have been found to be not durable enough for the longer format. Pink-coloured balls are already used in day-night Tests played under lights.
Pink ball in Test matches
The statement issued by the Cricket’s governing body said its executive board had approved the “trialling the use of a pink ball in Test matches, with prior agreement from both teams, to maximise play in case of anticipated bad light”.
The ICC said it had also given approval for new “research on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light”.
“Our discussions… have reinforced the ICC´s commitment to governance, administration and the growth of cricket globally,” said council chief Jay Shah, following a meeting in India´s Ahmedabad.
Furthermore, the governing body board meeting also permitted the head coach or designated staff to enter the field during the ODI drink breaks.
Previously, only substitute players were allowed to enter the field and relay messages during the drink breaks, which are taken twice in an ODI innings, one hour and 10 minutes apart.
The global governing body also made a slight amendment to the playing conditions of T20Is, as it reduced the time of the innings break to 15 minutes from 20 minutes.
In another tweak, ICC said it would give the on-field umpires access to HawkEye data to analyse bowlers for illegal actions during matches as part of its determination to crack down on bowlers with suspect actions.
