Test-playing nations will be able to use pink balls instead of red ones in traditional daytime matches as part of a trial to prevent play being lost due to bad light.
The International Cricket Council approved the trial at a meeting of its board in Ahmedabad on Monday and said it would also undertake research on lighting technology for match officials and venues to “reduce lost play due to poor light”.
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Nasser Hussain breaks down the differences between the pink-ball and red-ball
Bad light often halts play in Test matches for safety reasons, with the red ball being harder for batters to see.
Pink balls, which are easier to see at floodlit stadiums, have been exclusively used in day-night Tests until now.
As part of the trial, teams would need to agree to the pink ball switch before the start of a match that may be impacted by poor light.
The ICC board also approved a recommendation that will allow head coaches or other staff to enter the field of play during drinks breaks to consult with players in one-day and T20 internationals.
Previously, coaches’ messages could only be relayed by players running drinks onto the field.
Allowing coaches on the field during strategic time-outs has been a feature of T20 franchise leagues.
Harry Brook played for England in their last pink ball Test match against Australia
There have been 25 day-night men’s Tests since the first between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide 11 years ago.
Only one has taken place in England, when the hosts beat West Indies at Edgbaston in 2017.
England are considering rejecting a day-night Test for their next Ashes tour in 2029-30, but the 150th anniversary Test between the nations in Melbourne next March will be a day-nighter.
Ben Stokes’ side lost by eight wickets to Australia in Brisbane in their last pink ball Test in December.
The ICC Board also approved several other recommendations from the chief executives committee, including:
- Enabling match officials to access Hawk-Eye data when considering reporting an illegal bowling action.
- Updates to the playing conditions to allow head coaches or their designees to consult with teams during scheduled drinks intervals, mandate 15-minute intervals in T20I matches, and require batters to be ready at the resumption of play.
- Permanent adoption of the legside wides trial.
- Adoption of all remaining MCC Laws of Cricket changes effective October 1.
- Updates to the Classification of Official Cricket, confirming that teams in the CWC Challenge League remain eligible to play other List A limited overs matches during each Challenge League tournament cycle.
England squad for first Test against New Zealand: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
Watch the first Test between England and New Zealand, at Lord’s, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 10am on Thursday (11am first ball). Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with NOW.
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