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NEW DELHI: As India and Australia are set to clash in the day-night Test in Adelaide from December 6, the pink cricket ball is back in the news. The pink ball is a variation of the traditional ball and is used for day-night Test matches only. It was introduced to enhance visibility under artificial lights as the red ball used in standard Tests is difficult to see at night.
The pink ball is highly visible under floodlights and it is made from the same leather as red or white balls but uses a dyed pink on top. The leather, however, is treated differently to retain its shine for longer periods.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The ball has an extra layer of lacquer compared to red balls, which helps maintain the shine and visibility. The core is similar to that of red balls, but the seam is often dyed black or green to create a contrasting effect and improve the visibility factor.
It is designed to stay durable on grassy pitches and under lights, unlike the white ball, which can lose visibility and wear out faster. The extra lacquer can cause the ball to swing more, especially under lights and it sometimes behaves differently compared to red or white balls, and some spinners find it harder to grip due to the lacquered surface.
India vs Australia: How pink ball is different
While it improves visibility for spectators, some players have reported difficulty seeing the ball under certain conditions.
The first official day-night Test match with a pink ball was played in November 2015 between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval.
Since then, it has become a feature of day-night Tests worldwide, including matches played by India, England, and other top cricketing nations.
Difference between pink cricket ball and red cricket ball:
The pink cricket ball and the red cricket ball are primarily differentiated by their purpose, design, and behaviour.
Swing: Pink balls swing more under lights because of the lacquer, which makes them challenging for batters in evening sessions – popularly called the twilight period.
Spin: Spinners find it tougher to grip pink balls due to the smoother surface, while red balls offer more grip.
Ball Tracking: Umpires and players often find it easier to track pink balls under artificial lights than red ones.
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