Does the Pink Ball Swing More? Cricket's Day-Night Test Science
The pink ball was introduced for day-night Tests in 2015. It behaves differently to the traditional red ball — swinging earlier but deteriorating faster. Learn the science and why the twilight session is so dangerous for batters.
The pink cricket ball, used in day-night Test matches since 2015, behaves distinctly differently from the traditional red ball. Manufactured by Kookaburra and coated in a pink lacquer for visibility under floodlights, it swings more immediately than the red ball but deteriorates faster, losing its shape and sheen sooner.
Swing Comparison
Studies and player testimony consistently suggest the pink ball swings more readily in the first 20-30 overs compared to the red ball. This is primarily because the pink lacquer coating is thicker and takes longer to wear off, maintaining the smooth-rough differential needed for swing. However, once the coating degrades — often around overs 35-50 — the pink ball becomes more variable and difficult to control.
The Twilight Session
The most dangerous period for batters in a day-night Test is twilight — roughly 5-7 PM local time when natural light fades but floodlights have not yet fully compensated. During this window, the pink ball is hardest to pick up against the sky; the contrast between natural and artificial light creates a brief period where the ball is particularly difficult to track. Bowlers who can consistently target the twilight session have a significant advantage.
Frequently asked questions
Does the pink ball swing more than the red ball?
Generally yes, in the first 30 overs — the lacquer coating maintains the smooth-rough differential for longer. However, it also degrades faster, becoming erratic after the coating wears off.
Why is twilight dangerous in day-night Tests?
At dusk, natural light fades before artificial light fully compensates, making the pink ball harder to pick up against the changing sky — batters have less time to read the ball's movement.