Tim Paine urges critics to stop comparing the pink ball with the red cherry

Australia Test skipper Tim Paine has urged cricketing pundits to stop comparing the pink ball with the red one. He believes that the two types of balls cannot behave the same as they are totally different in structure, and that the critics need to accept the change instead of constantly looking for problems.

Paine led Australia to a 2-0 series win against Pakistan and kept their 100% record in day-night Tests intact. The hosts thrashed the visitors by an innings and 48 runs in the 2nd Test to complete the whitewash.

Australia v Pakistan - 2nd Test: Day 4

The Australian skipper prefaced his comments about the pink ball by stating that the growth of Test cricket was of the utmost importance. He is of the view that anything which can make people watch more Test cricket, should be welcomed with open arms.

“What we want is people watching Test match cricket and I think the pink ball day-night Test certainly makes that happen,” Paine was quoted as saying to reporters after Australia’s thumping win against Pakistan.

“It’s bringing new people to the game. I think what we need to stop doing is trying to compare the pink ball to the red ball. It’s not going to behave the same, it isn’t the same ball.

“It’s going to behave like a pink ball. And at the moment it’s relatively new and we’re getting used to it. It’s just something players will adapt to and get better at but in terms of the product I think it’s good to watch.

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There has been a lot of debate surrounding the nature of the pink ball. The extra lacquer on the surface makes it swing a bit more in the initial stages. But as the ball becomes soft, it has the tendency to lose its zip at an alarming rate. That was quite evident from India’s first ever pink-ball Test against Bangladesh.

The much-talked-about pink ball

Australia will lock horns against New Zealand in less than 10 days' time, and they will be high on confidence after the drubbing against Pakistan. The Kiwis on their part will be coming off a 1-0 victory against England.

The first Test between the neighboring countries is a day-night encounter, and it will start on 12 December at Perth. Australia have a lot more experience of day-night Test cricket than New Zealand, and should be expected to maintain their winning streak in pink-ball matches.