The pink cricket ball is primarily used for day-night Test matches to improve visibility under artificial lighting. It has a polyurethane coating and black stitching, making it easier to spot compared to the traditional red ball, which fades in the dark. The pink ball is designed to be durable and retain its color, unlike the white ball used in ODI and T20 matches, which loses color and wears out quickly.
Key features and differences from the red ball:
Visibility: The pink ball's fluorescent coating and black stitching make it easier to see under floodlights.
Durability: It's designed to be more durable and retain its color better than the red ball.
Seam movement: The pink ball is designed to promote more seam movement than the red ball.
Slightly heavier: The pink ball is
slightly heavier than the red ball.
Coating: The pink ball is coated with polyurethane, while the red ball is wax-coated.
Why was the pink ball introduced?
Revitalize Test cricket:
The pink ball was introduced to make Test matches more accessible to prime-time audiences and potentially increase viewership.
Improved visibility:
The primary reason for its introduction was to enhance visibility under artificial lights, as the red ball becomes difficult to track as the evening progresses.
Origin and Development:
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) conducted trials with pink balls as early as 2009, with Kookaburra playing a key role in refining the ball's design and performance.
The first pink ball Test match was played in November 2015 between Australia and New Zealand.
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