Pink Cricket Ball — Why It Was Developed and How It Behaves
The pink ball was created for day-night Test cricket. Learn what makes it different from the red and white ball, and why it behaves uniquely under lights.
Why Was the Pink Ball Developed?
The pink ball was developed specifically for day-night Test cricket. The red ball is difficult to see under artificial floodlights due to its colour blending with the red-brown pitch surface. The white ball (used in ODIs and T20s) is highly visible under lights but lacks the seam properties of a red ball — it doesn't swing as much with age. The pink ball fills the middle ground: visible under lights and retaining red-ball-like swing and seam movement.
How the Pink Ball Differs
| Property | Red Ball | White Ball | Pink Ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility under lights | Poor | Excellent | Good |
| Lacquer type | Traditional | Thick white | Enhanced pink lacquer |
| Swing duration | 15–50+ overs | 1–20 overs | 10–60+ overs (variable) |
| Deterioration rate | Moderate | Fast | Slower but different |
| Used in | Tests | ODIs, T20s | Day-night Tests only |
How the Pink Ball Swings Under Lights
The pink ball's enhanced lacquer coating preserves the shiny side longer, which can increase the duration of conventional swing compared to a red ball. Under floodlights, the pink ball is typically under more controlled humidity conditions than a day game — the evening air can be cooler and damper, which also helps swing. The convergence of these factors makes the pink ball particularly lethal in the evening session.
Famous Pink Ball Performances
- Mitchell Starc's opening spell in the 2021-22 Ashes day-night Test at Adelaide — devastating swing movement under lights dismissed several England batters cheaply.
- Trent Boult in day-night Tests — has exploited the pink ball's swing properties to devastating effect for New Zealand.
- Mohammad Abbas (Pakistan) — mastered the pink ball's seam movement in Pakistani conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Why not use a yellow or green cricket ball?
Yellow and orange balls were tested in early trials. Pink emerged as the best compromise between visibility under lights and retention of ball properties similar to the red ball. SG (India) and Kookaburra (Australia) each produce their own pink ball versions for matches in their respective countries.
Do different countries use different pink balls?
Yes — Kookaburra pink balls are used in Australia and most other cricket nations; SG (Sanspareils Greenlands) pink balls are used in India. The two balls have slightly different characteristics — the SG pink ball is known to swing differently from the Kookaburra version.