Day-Night Test Cricket Explained
Day-night Tests use a pink ball under floodlights to attract evening audiences. This guide covers the history of day-night Tests, how the pink ball behaves, and the impact on playing conditions.
What Is a Day-Night Test?
A day-night Test match begins in mid-afternoon and continues into the evening under floodlights, typically running from 14:00 to 22:00 local time. It uses a pink ball rather than the traditional red ball, allowing the ball to remain visible under artificial lighting. Day-night Tests were introduced to attract larger television audiences and in-person crowds who cannot attend daytime weekday cricket.
The Pink Ball
The pink ball is manufactured to the same specification as the red ball but dyed pink — a colour visible under both natural and artificial light. Pink balls have a lacquer coating that can fade differently from red balls: they often swing more initially, lose shine faster, and behave differently in the dusk session — the period between natural light and full floodlight when visibility changes rapidly.
The Dusk Period and Its Challenge
The dusk period — typically the hour when natural light fades and floodlights take full effect — is considered the most difficult session for batters in day-night Tests. The pink ball appears to swing unpredictably under changing light conditions. Many famous batting collapses in day-night Tests have occurred during this dusk window, leading to debates about whether toss results matter more in this format.
History: Adelaide 2015
The first day-night Test was played between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in November 2015. Australia won by three wickets in a match that captured public attention — the day-night innovation was considered a success for Test cricket's efforts to reach new audiences. Adelaide has since become the regular host of Australia's day-night Ashes Test.
Day-Night Tests Around the World
India hosted their first day-night Test in 2019 at Eden Gardens against Bangladesh — a politically significant move from the BCCI, which had previously resisted the format. England held day-night Tests at Edgbaston and The Oval. The format has spread to all Test-playing nations, though some flat pitches are better suited to it than others, as the pink ball's enhanced swing can make these matches over too quickly on helpful surfaces.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a pink ball used in day-night Tests instead of red?
The red ball is difficult to see under artificial floodlights, especially against the playing surface and advertising boards. The pink ball is more visible under both natural and artificial light, making it suitable for evening cricket.
When was the first day-night Test played?
The first day-night Test was played at Adelaide Oval in November 2015 between Australia and New Zealand, with Australia winning by three wickets.
Is the dusk period really more dangerous for batters?
Statistics from day-night Tests show a higher wicket-fall rate in the dusk session, supporting the widespread belief that the combination of fading natural light and the pink ball's particular swing behaviour makes batting harder during this period.