ICC's Red-to-Pink Ball Test Trial Could Spell Trouble for Batters, Warns Paul Nixon

After introducing day-night Tests with a pink ball, the International Cricket Council has now approved the trial of switching from red ball to pink ball during a day's Test to minimise the impact of bad light and loss of overs. 

It will only come into effect if both teams agree to take up the challenge before the start of the Test.

This decision was one of the key outcomes of the ICC board meeting held in Ahmedabad, India, earlier this month, following several recommendations from the Chief Executives Committee. 

The global body has promised to research and improve the lighting technology, too.

The implementation of playing conditions for transitioning from red to pink balls will take time. However, this change has the potential to introduce a new dimension to the game, particularly in England, which has only seen one Test with the pink ball under the lights, against the West Indies at Edgbaston in 2017.

Australia has been the torchbearer of pink-ball Tests as they have hosted 13 of them. 

India has had three of them, and most other cricketing nations have had fewer, but the spectators everywhere could catch a glimpse of the pink ball now if all goes well.

RED TO PINK IN THE UK

Former England cricketer Paul Nixon, who has 14,498 first-class runs, warned that the pink ball could make life difficult for batters in English conditions. 

"The pink ball in England swings and seams way more than the red ball. Players have mentioned that during the twilight period, when the stadium lights take over from daylight, the ball is harder to see out of the hand and picking up length is way more challenging," Nixon, who played 19 ODIs and a T20I for England, told Sportsboom.co.uk.

England had won the solitary day-night Test at home by an innings and 209 runs as the Caribbeans struggled against James Anderson, who is still rattling batters at 43 years of age, and Stuart Broad.

The pink ball was used as a trial in County Championship matches in 2017 and 2018, but was discontinued due to poor feedback from players, spectators and administrators. The unnatural swing, due to the extra layer of lacquer, didn't provide the competitive edge, apparently.

SOMETHING FOR BOWLERS

Nixon backed the ICC decision because it would give bowlers something in an otherwise batter-dominated sport. 

"In county cricket, the bowlers enjoyed the pink ball way more than the batsmen. Generally, the bowlers came out on top. So for the ICC, this is a big decision if it goes ahead, as generally, the public wants to see more runs than wickets," he added.

Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has been the pink ball king with 81 wickets in 14 appearances at an average of 17.08.

Nixon, who has also been a two-time winning coach in the Caribbean Premier League, urged all nations to experiment with the pink ball. 

"All nations must try either the pink ball or the ICC can try another colour ball plus try other compounds, leather is used now, but why not try and make something away from leather?"

During Pakistan's August tour of England, there is a promising opportunity to implement the ball switch, should the conditions warrant such a strategic move.