DUBAI: The International Cricket Council has approved a trial allowing the use of pink balls in Test matches to help reduce interruptions caused by poor light, the sport’s governing body announced on Monday.
Under the new initiative, teams will be permitted to use a pink ball in Test matches, subject to prior agreement between both sides, when bad light is anticipated. The move aims to maximize playing time, as the traditional red ball used in Tests can become difficult to see in fading daylight.
Pink balls are already used in day-night Test matches played under floodlights, while white balls commonly used in limited-overs cricket have not proven durable enough for the longer format.
The decision was approved during an ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad, India. ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the discussions reflected the organization’s commitment to improving governance, administration and the global growth of cricket.
The ICC also approved further research into lighting technology for match officials and venues in an effort to reduce the amount of playing time lost due to poor visibility.
In another significant change, the board allowed head coaches or designated team staff members to enter the field during drinks breaks in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Previously, only substitute players were permitted to deliver messages to players during those intervals.
The governing body also amended playing conditions for Twenty20 Internationals, reducing the innings break from 20 minutes to 15 minutes in an effort to streamline match schedules.
Additionally, on-field umpires will now have access to Hawk-Eye technology data to help identify and assess potentially illegal bowling actions during matches, strengthening the ICC’s efforts to tackle suspect bowling actions and maintain the integrity of the game.
