The Pink Ball — How It Differs from Red and White in Cricket

Cricket has used three different ball colours — red for Test matches, white for limited-overs cricket, and pink for day-night Tests. Each colour serves a specific purpose: visibility in different lighting conditions. The pink ball, introduced for day-night Test cricket from 2015, was a technical challenge to develop because it needed to behave like a red ball in terms of swing, seam, and durability while being visible under floodlights.

Why Not Use the White Ball?

The white ball had been used in day-night limited-overs cricket for decades and is clearly visible at night. However, it was rejected for Test cricket for several reasons: it does not produce the same swing characteristics as the red ball, it deteriorates differently, and a Test match lasts five days so the ball would look unacceptably dirty after a few sessions. A dirty white ball becomes invisible against certain backgrounds. The pink ball was developed to solve this problem.

How the Pink Ball Behaves

The pink ball swings more than the red ball in the early overs but many bowlers report it loses its shape and hardness faster. The lacquer on the pink ball is different from the red — it needs to be bright enough to be seen under lights. This means the ball's surface characteristics change more quickly, affecting how long conventional swing lasts and when reverse swing becomes possible. Some batters also report the ball is harder to pick up off a dark backdrop once the lacquer wears.

The Twilight Factor

The period around dusk in day-night Tests — when natural and artificial light overlap — is considered the most difficult batting phase. The pink ball is reported to be hardest to pick up during this transition period. Batters who misjudge the ball in twilight conditions are at their most vulnerable. Teams that win the toss in day-night Tests typically consider which session their batters will occupy during twilight — if they bat first, twilight is the second session; if they field first, twilight is when the opposition bats.

Reception Among Players

Opinions on the pink ball are divided. Many pace bowlers enjoy the extra swing it produces early. Batters tend to be more cautious about it — the combination of swing, lights, and twilight creates specific challenges not encountered with a red ball during daytime play. Spinners have been the most vocal critics, with some arguing the pink ball is harder to grip and generates less spin than red. Overall, the pink ball is accepted as a workable compromise that enables day-night Test cricket to exist.