Why ICC needs proper execution otherwise red-pink ball swap in Tests can become a recipe for disaster

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come up with an innovative idea in its attempt to maximise playing time in Test matches. The global cricket governing body unveiled some changes to the playing conditions after its recent board meeting in Ahmedabad.

The change that grabbed the most attention was the trial to switch from a red ball to a pink ball in the middle of a Test match if bad light does not allow the game to continue with the traditional red ball. However, both teams will have to agree prior to the start of the match to any such ball-switch.

Bad light has been a recurring issue in Test cricket and with this change, the ICC is hoping to get more game time. The red ball is tough to sight under floodlights and dark skies, while the pink ball is made to stand out under artificial lighting. While the intentions behind the move can be commended, the implementation could become a problem.

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ICC faces backlash

Rassie van der Dussen, a former South Africa international, took to X to criticise the decision.

“Who makes these decisions!?” Van der Dussen asked. “Honestly… There’s a gulf between red and pink balls — ask anyone who’s played with them. They react and feel completely different.”

He further added that pink-ball Tests should be scrapped totally as they are not the same as traditional Test cricket.

Day-night Tests were an innovative idea that has failed to pick up among Test-playing nations. Pink balls are used in such Tests as they are easier to spot. The Australian Test summer does have a solitary pink-ball game annually, but other countries have largely stayed away from it.

While not tinkering with the traditional approach of playing Test cricket under sunlight is one reason behind the failure of pink-ball Tests, there is another important factor.

The pink ball problems

The pink ball is considered heavily biased towards bowlers. To keep the ball shining for better visibility, it has more lacquer on it than usual. This results in it hooping around far more than the red ball. This assistance for bowlers becomes even more exaggerated during the twilight period, where batting becomes almost impossible.

Now, light issues usually occur towards the end of the day with twilight approaching. If at this time the ball is changed from red to pink, it will be unfair for the batting side. The batting team will have to face a ball that is far more helpful for the bowlers, and that too in the period where it is the toughest to play.

There is also a possibility of one team playing the majority of their innings with the red ball and then the other team has to face the pink ball due to bad light. This once again puts the team batting against the pink ball at a big disadvantage. So, ICC will have to find a way to ensure that there remains parity in how much both teams face one kind of a ball.

A lot of clarity on the matter is still awaited but the concerns regarding the new rule are quite apparent. The team that bowls more with the pink ball will get an unfair advantage against the team that has to bat against the same ball.

As Van der Dussen mentioned in his post, playing with red and pink balls are two completely different games. So, either teams will simply not agree to the switch before the match or if they do, there is a very high chance that one of the sides could get an unfair advantage.

If the ball-switch trial influences the result of a big Test series, it will become highly controversial, and ICC will probably have to rethink the issue. So, for all its despite its good intentions, ICC has to see how this goes perhaps at the First-Class level first before pushing it into the international system.