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Test-playing nations will be able to use pink balls instead of red in traditional day matches as part of a trial to prevent games being lost due to poor lighting.
The International Cricket Council approved the trial at a meeting of its board in Ahmedabad on Monday and said it would research lighting technology for match officials and venues to “reduce lost games due to poor lighting”.
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Nasser Hussain breaks down the difference between pink ball and red ball
Bad lighting often halts play in Test matches for safety reasons, where it is difficult for batsmen to see the red ball.
The pink ball, which is easily seen in floodlit stadiums, has so far been used exclusively in day-night Tests.
As part of the trial, teams will have to agree to a pink ball switch before the start of a match that could be affected by poor lighting.
The ICC Board also approved a recommendation that would allow head coaches or other personnel to enter the field of play during drinks breaks to consult with players in one-day and T20 internationals.
Previously, coaches’ messages could only be relayed by players carrying drinks onto the field.
Allowing coaches on the field during strategic time-outs is a feature of T20 franchise leagues.
Harry Brook played for England in their last pink ball Test match against Australia
The first ever 25 day-night men’s Test between Australia and New Zealand took place in Adelaide 11 years ago.
Only one has been in England in 2017 when they beat the hosts West Indies at Edgbaston.
England are considering rejecting a day-night Test for their next Ashes tour in 2029-30, but the 150th anniversary Test between the nations in Melbourne next March will be a day-night.
Ben Stokes’ side lost to Australia by eight wickets in their last pink-ball Test in Brisbane in December.
The ICC Board also approved other recommendations of the Chief Executive Committee, including:
- Enabling match officials to access Hawk-Eye data when reporting illegal bowling action.
- Updates to playing conditions to allow head coaches or their designees to consult with the team during scheduled drink breaks, mandate a 15-minute interval in T20I matches and require batters to be ready when play resumes.
- Sustained adoption of legside wide trials.
- The rest of cricket’s MCC Act will adopt changes effective from October 1.
- Updates to the Official Cricket Classification ensure that CWC Challenge League teams will be eligible to play other List A limited overs matches during each Challenge League tournament cycle.
England squad for first Test against New Zealand: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Ryu, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
Watch the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, live Sky Sports Cricket And main event Thursday from 10am (11am first ball). Didn’t get the sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream with NOW.
