ICC to trial pink ball to limit bad light stoppages

A trial launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) will see the use of the pink ball in Test matches to limit lost play in bad light.

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

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

It will not be used during the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s from Thursday.

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

Both teams involved in a Test must agree in advance that a pink ball can be used in bad light.

Stopping play in Test cricket due to poor lighting has become an increasing frustration for players, supporters and broadcasters 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 poor light.

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

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

The first ever 25 day-night men’s Test between Australia and New Zealand took place in Adelaide 11 years ago. England’s only place in 2017 was when the home side beat the West Indies at Edgbaston.

Day-night cricket has become a game in Australia, with the home side becoming an almost unbeatable force with the pink ball – Australia have won 14 of their 15 Tests under lights.

Every Ashes series in Australia since 2017–18 has been a day-night Test, 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-night.

The ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad approved allowances for head coaches to enter the field of play during the drinks break in T20 Internationals, reflecting a trend in franchise leagues.

The governing body also expressed “concern over the incremental expansion of franchise cricket”. The ICC said it will set up a committee to coordinate international and franchise calendars.

In addition, Cricket Canada immediately suspended ICC membership for serious breaches of its membership obligations.