MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Cricket Australia will follow in the footsteps of the West Indies Cricket Board when they put the controversial pink ball on trial in their domestic competition next week.
Chief executive James Sutherland said the move was part of Australia’s commitment to the International Cricket Council’s exploration of the concept of day-night Tests.
He was echoing the sentiments of WICB chief executive Ernest Hilaire who said recently the use of the pink ball in the WICB regional first class championship would be part of a worldwide trial, geared towards day-night Tests.
“Cricket Australia is committed to finding a way to make day-night Test cricket a reality and the Adelaide Oval trial is one of many steps that need to be taken before this vision is realized,” Sutherland said.
“The results of the trial won’t provide all the answers or a definitive outcome, but it will give us important information and feedback on the delivery of the project.”
The trial will be carried out in a three-day Futures League match between South Australia and Western Australia, from February 2-4.
Cricket Australia said the trials would test the visibility of the ball by both players and spectators, and also assess the extent of discolouration.
Further trials will follow to examine the suitability of the pink ball for television broadcast.
Last week, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana created history when they contested the first ever regional first class match under lights, using the pink ball.