Pink-ball and day-night Tests need refinement, players feel

Players have certain questions over the use of pink-ball and the viability of day-night Tests.

After the massively successful first-of-its-kind extravaganza that took place in Adelaide last month, many of the participating players have certain issues pertaining to the use of pink-ball, and the viability of day-night Test cricket, beyond the favourable environs of Adelaide.

The first day-night Test in the history of the game was played between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval from November 27. Australia had won the game by three wickets, in what had turned out to be a three-day Test match.

Now, the players, who had welcomed the move and adapted to the entirely new set of conditions to play cricket, have some questions before this concept is globalized. The Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) which the representative body of players’ associations from seven Test playing nations, surveyed the participants of the aforementioned Test match.

As many as 20 of the 22 players, who on one hand welcomed the new concept, raised amiable concerns over the refinement of the pink-ball.

While 80% of the players surveyed believed that the pink-ball did not show similar signs of wear tear as compared to its red counterpart, another 80% believed that the pink-ball swung more.

70% said that it was not easy to spot the ball while batting and fielding at dusk,and 85% were of the opinion that the day-night conditions affected the length of the match.

Pink ball experiment must be seen as part of bigger picture: FICA

"As representative body of players from seven of the 10 Test-playing nations, FICA commends the players for their adaptability with a significant change to the game," said Tony Irish, the FICA executive chairman.

"It is important to note however, that the change from the red to pink ball is significant. The players still have concerns around the ball itself, and one must take into account that the Adelaide Oval conditions were tailored to suit the pink ball and help it last. This led to results that were uncharacteristic for an Adelaide Test Match.”

Irish mentioned that indeed the Adelaide Test was a success beyond any doubt, but it has to be seen as a journey to make Test cricket more popular, and not the end itself.

"It was good to see so many fans at the Adelaide Test Match and it was successful as an event, however, the pink ball experiment must be part of a bigger picture, and it alone is not the answer to making Test cricket the best it can be," Irish said.

He was of the opinion that these trials of day-night Tests at the first-class level as well as at the international level, was in essence an addition of a new format to the game, and must not be viewed as the only way of making the game more appealing to the masses.

Players should be made integral part of planning: FICA

He believes that Cricket, as a sport, lacks concise, clear and structural directions as to how a balance must be maintained between bilateral series between nations and the growing culture of T20 tournaments.

“With the advent of domestic T20 tournaments around the world, there is also now a growing alternative market to international cricket for the world's best players." Irish said further.

"The game must address its structure as a whole, and the players should be an integral part of planning and improving it in its entirety moving forward. Cricket will be in the best position to grow if players are properly embraced as partners in the game."

It has to be noted further, that the conditions of the Adelaide game, basically the pitch, were tailored by a committee comprising of the Cricket Australia (CA) officials, the curator, the broadcasters amongst others.

Both Brendon McCullum and Steven Smith, the participating captains, said that there was a bit too much grass left on the surface, which was actually done to make the pink-ball last, which has less durability as compared to its red equivalent.