New Delhi: Team India will feature in their fifth pink-ball Test when they take on Australia in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide from Friday. The match is being highlighted due to the fact that it is a day-night affair and will thus be played with a pink ball. Players are already in prep mode for the Adelaide Test and the visitors even faced Australia Prime Minister’s XI in a practice game, winning it to brighten their chances for a 2-0.
India won the first Test in Perth and will look to clinch the pink-ball outing as well. Several Indian players and cricket pundits are giving their takes on how a pink ball is different from a traditional red ball used in Test matches. It can be said that “pink ball fever” has taken over the Indian fans as the preceding 10 days have been all about the new and shining ball and its impact on the game, both from the bowler’s and batter’s perspective.
The major highlight of a pink ball is that it is designed for enhanced visibility under the lights. It also boasts an extra lacquer for sustained shine and a distinctive seam colour. The pink and red balls can be primarily differentiated on the basis of their design, purpose, and behaviour. So here’s a deeper look at why only a pink ball is preferred for the day-night Test matches rather than the red ball.
Why only a pink ball in D/N Tests?
A pink ball is nothing but a variation of the traditional red ball and is used only in day-night Test matches. It was initially introduced to enhance visibility under artificial lights as it is tough to see a red ball used in standard Tests at night.
A pink ball is highly visible under the giant floodlights and is made from the same type of leather used for the red and white balls in cricket. For the pink ones, only a pink dye is used on the top, making it different in appearance. However, the leather is treated differently so that the ball can retain its shine for longer periods.
What makes a pink ball different?
An extra layer of lacquer is added to the pink ball as compared to the red one, which helps maintain its shine and visibility. It has a similar core to that of red balls but its seam is often dyed green or black in order to create a contrasting effect and improve its visibility factor.
Moreover, a pink ball is also designed to stay durable on grassy pitches and under the lights, unlike the white balls used in limited-overs cricket, which can lose visibility and also wear out faster. The extra layer of lacquer can also cause the ball to swing more, specially under the lights. The pink balls sometimes behave totally differently compared to red or white balls.
Pink balls are usually considered pacer-friendly as spinners usually find it harder to grip due to the lacquered (smoother) surface. A pink ball also improves visibility for spectators, however, a few players have reported difficulty in spotting the ball under certain conditions.
Ever wondered why only a pink ball is preferred for the day-night Test matches rather than the traditional red ball? Ahead of the day-night Adelaide Test between India and Australia, here’s a look at pink ball and its use in day-night Tests. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
