Kookaburra ready with pink ball for day-night Tests

Melbourne, June 17: Pink-coloured cricket balls are ready to be used if the inaugural day-night Test match goes ahead in Australia in November, manufacturer Kookaburra has said.

Cricket Australia (CA) is hoping to stage the first day-night Test against New Zealand later this year, with Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart among the possible venues.

"The Kookaburra turf pink ball has been extensively tested over the past five years by the MCC, ECB, CA, and I believe the ball is ready for an international Test match," Kookaburra managing director Brett Elliot was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

He added, "We have also supplied a number of other ICC members like CSA (Cricket South Africa) and WICB (West Indies), and have been equally happy with its performances at domestic level."

Batsmen and bowlers have expressed concerns about the visibility of the ball during the dusk period, particularly when it began to scuff up, while spectators and even state coaches said they struggled to sight the ball race along the field at night.

"To ensure the best visibility whilst also preserving the natural wear characteristics of the ball throughout the course of the game, we add additional colour to the pink ball and also the white ball. This enhances the brightness of the ball although some say it also encourages early swing.

"Like most things that are new and different it will be critically analysed. However, I feel an extensive amount of research, development and testing has gone into the ball to make it as close to the red turf ball as possible and, thus, Test match ready."

PTI