From Sportstar · Team Sportstar · · 1m 10s
Shaun Pollock wants pink ball in all-day Tests
Former South Africa fast bowler Shaun Pollock pushes for pink ball in all-day Tests, not just day-night games.
In brief
Former South Africa fast bowler Shaun Pollock pushes for pink ball in all-day Tests, not just day-night games. Former South Africa fast bowler Shaun Pollock argues pink balls should be used in all Test matches to increase playing time and counter poor light effects. Originally reported by Sportstar.
Shaun Pollock
Former South Africa fast bowler Shaun Pollock believes pink ball should be used in all Test matches, not just day-night games.
“They say it moves too much”
Pink ball stigma
Pollock says pink ball carries unfair stigma in cricket, with teams blaming it for batting collapses or playing condition changes.
“If Australia were 124-6 [as they were on day one] and we were using the pink ball, everyone would have said it was the pink ball’s fault”
Playing time benefit
Pollock argues pink ball would mean 45 more overs of Test cricket, helping counter poor light effects.
“If Australia were 124-6 and got to 390 [as they did in their first innings], everyone in South Africa would have said it was the pink ball’s fault”
ICC rules change
ICC amended playing conditions to allow pink ball in Tests after trial earlier in the year.
“Crucially, it does not allow a red ball to be switched for pink when the light becomes poor”
Light conditions rule
Teams can agree before Test starts to use pink ball throughout if light problems are expected.
“if problems with the light are expected, it allows teams to agree before a Test starts to use the pink ball throughout”
Why it matters
Pink ball use in all-day Tests could increase playing time and help counter loss of overs to poor light.
“The pink ball would have meant we played 45 more overs of Test cricket”
The main idea
Former South Africa fast bowler Shaun Pollock argues pink balls should be used in all Test matches to increase playing time and counter poor light effects.
