Why pink ball cricket is the future as Adelaide Test shows five-day format will never die
The pink ball caused chaos on day one of the second Test between Australia and India.
OPINION
The opening day of the Adelaide Test had it all and perfectly showcased why we fell in love with Test cricket. The battle between bat and ball is what cricket ultimately boils down to, and while it is great to watch your favourite player and team belt boundary after boundary, it is the tense battle between bowler and batsman that puts you on the edge of your seat.
From the opening ball, the twists and turns on the first day of the second Test between India and Australia had me and everyone enthralled. And a large part of the reason it was just so exciting, whether runs were being made or not, comes down to the impact of the pink ball.
Nine years ago players finally agreed to partake in an experiment, the pink cricket ball. Broadcasters were bullish and administrators hopeful, bringing the day-night aspect of cricket that had seen T20 cricket boom and adapting it to the purest form of cricket, a five-day Test match.
Since then the pink cricket ball has been loved by fans and administrators, with its unique impact mixed with the conditions of day-night Test matches providing a quality viewing experience and a game that is as exciting as ever. Fans streamed into Adelaide Oval in masses with the crowd well into the night eclipsing 50,000. However, despite this, Aussie summers have historically been limited to a max of one pink ball Test a season, and that needs to change.
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Why is there only ever one pink ball Test?
Since the inaugural day-night Test, Cricket Australia has been patient with its rollout out and that is largely due to the pushback from players. Night-time cricket is simply harder, the wind becomes more of a factor as does the humidity and dew. It means as a batsman it is far trickier to put together a big score, especially with a pink ball built to stay shinier for longer - meaning it swings well into the night.
The late, great Shane Warne, however, was one of the most vocal advocates of more Pink Test matches. The iconic leg spinner saw it as the best way to revive Test cricket and called for the Boxing Day Test to be turned into one before he passed away. “Now is the time to have a Boxing Day Test match as a day-nighter,” Warne said on Fox Cricket.
“You talk about the pitch, you talk about whatever you want but a day-night Boxing Day Test match with a pink ball would be fantastic."
But his calls fell on deaf ears and still to do this day Sydney and Melbourne, the cities with the two most iconic cricket grounds in Australia, have never hosted a pink ball Test. To compare, this year's day-night match is Adelaide's eighth, while Brisbane has hosted three and Hobart and Perth have both had one. And while one pink Test a summer is all cricket fans currently have to sink their teeth into, with the popularity of the format pressure is sure to mount on organisers to put on more in the years to come.
Why is the pink ball so exciting?
To understand why batters aren't fans of the pink ball you have to dive into how it differs from the traditional red pill. Unlike its red and white counterparts, the pink ball comes with several unique features, starting with its construction.
Manufactured predominantly by the well-known manufacturer Kookaburra - in India it's done by Sanspareils Greenlands - the pink ball has an extra coating of lacquer. This plays a pivotal part in the increased swing and seam bowlers can get with the ball.
The lacquer typically ensures the ball retains its shine for extended periods, a huge plus for bowlers seeking extra movement. While it also plays a crucial role in the ball maintaining its visibility for batsmen and fielders, especially under bright lights. But the added shine means the ball can get extra swing for between 20 and 30 overs. Add to it the extra moisture that comes with playing during twilight and the addedunpredictablee movement makes for edge-of-your-seat viewing. The pink ball also has a pronounced seam, which is another element batsmen need to be aware of and something that further adds to the chaos.
How did the pink ball come about?
The idea for the pink ball came about due to dwindling crowds in the early 2000s and given the success of evening ODIs and T20Is in drawing larger crowds and TV audiences, it was the logical move. After trialling various colours and designs, pink was found to be the best colour for clarity under lights and the extra movement and lacquer presented a unique challenge and enhanced the viewing experience.
The inaugural pink-ball Test match was played between Australia and New Zealand in 2015 and lasted just three days. Australia won the game by three wickets in a low-scoring thriller which straight away showcased the impact the pink ball had.
With its introduction also came a change in tactics. In day-night Test matches captains now often aim to position their fast bowlers to exploit the twilight period, where batting conditions are at the toughest. Batting strategies have also evolved, with batsmen focusing on surviving the challenging periods and capitalizing when conditions become more favourable - as was seen when Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney spent Friday night's session trying to survive.
The pink ball started as an experiment, but almost a decade on from its introduction it is clear it is the future of Test cricket. The unique challenge it presents ensures a viewer doesn't want to miss a ball and it keeps players and fans on their toes.
