Pink Ball Day-Night Test Cricket — How It Works and Why It Exists
Day-night Test matches use a pink cricket ball instead of the traditional red ball. Learn why the pink ball was introduced, how it behaves differently, which stadiums host day-night Tests, and the key tactical differences from traditional Test cricket.
Day-night Test cricket is a format of the five-day Test match where play starts in the afternoon and extends into the evening under floodlights. Instead of the traditional red ball — which is difficult to see under artificial lighting — teams use a pink cricket ball that remains visible to players and spectators in both daylight and floodlit conditions. The first official day-night Test was played in November 2015 between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide.
Why was the pink ball introduced?
Test cricket faced an attendance and television audience problem: matches scheduled entirely in daylight hours excluded working fans, and TV ratings for daytime cricket in some countries were falling. Day-night Tests were designed to give fans an evening option — the same way Twenty20 cricket had dramatically boosted attendance and viewership by scheduling matches in prime-time evening slots. The challenge was finding a ball that players and umpires could track under artificial lights.
Why not use a red ball under lights?
The red ball is nearly invisible against the background of stadium lights and white sight screens at night. White balls — used in ODI and T20 cricket — were considered for day-night Tests but were found to degrade too quickly under Test conditions (no coating on white balls, multiple bowlers sharing the same ball over 80 overs). The pink ball was developed as a compromise: its bright colour remains visible under lights, and it is treated with a coating similar to the red ball to allow it to hold its shape over a full day's play.
How does the pink ball behave differently from the red ball?
| Property | Pink ball | Red ball |
|---|---|---|
| Swing | Swings significantly more, especially under lights and in the evening session (the 'twilight' period) | Conventional swing; reverse swing appears later |
| Seam movement | More pronounced off the seam early in the innings | Standard seam movement |
| Durability | Coating can become slippery with dew; harder for spin bowlers to grip | Maintains surface longer in dry conditions |
| Visibility | High under lights; easier for batters to see the seam and read spin | Harder to see at dusk or under floodlights |
| Dew effect | Heavy dew in the evening session makes the ball wet and difficult to control | Less affected by dew in daytime play |
Typical schedule of a day-night Test
| Session | Approximate time (local) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 1st session | 2:00 pm – 4:20 pm | Daylight — similar to traditional Test |
| Dinner break | 4:20 pm – 5:00 pm | — |
| 2nd session | 5:00 pm – 7:20 pm | Twilight — swing and seam at peak; batters most vulnerable |
| Tea break | 7:20 pm – 7:40 pm | — |
| 3rd session | 7:40 pm – 10:00 pm | Full floodlights — dew possible; most difficult session for bowlers |
The twilight session — the second session when light is fading and floodlights are coming on — is widely regarded as the hardest time to bat in day-night Tests. The ball swings more, the background changes as natural and artificial light mix, and batters have less time to adjust. Teams that bat first often find themselves losing wickets in this period, while teams that bowl in the twilight session have a distinct advantage.
Which grounds host day-night Tests?
- Adelaide Oval (Australia): the home of day-night Tests, having hosted the first ever in 2015. The ground's facilities make it the gold standard for the format.
- Eden Gardens (Kolkata, India): India's first day-night Test was played here in 2019 against Bangladesh. The largest cricket stadium in India was a landmark venue for the format.
- Edgbaston (Birmingham, England): England hosted its first day-night Test against the West Indies in 2017. The Edgbaston ground's covered pitches and experience with evening Premier League football lighting make it well-suited.
- Hagley Oval (Christchurch, New Zealand): one of the sport's most picturesque venues, regularly hosting day-night Tests for New Zealand home series.
Frequently asked questions
What is a day-night Test match in cricket?
A day-night Test is a five-day Test match that starts in the afternoon and extends into the evening under floodlights. It uses a pink ball instead of the traditional red ball to maintain visibility. The first official day-night Test was played in Adelaide in November 2015 between Australia and New Zealand.
Why is a pink ball used in day-night Tests?
The red ball is difficult to see against stadium lights and white sight screens at night. The pink ball is bright enough to remain visible under floodlights while still behaving like a traditional Test ball over the course of a day's play. White balls (used in ODI/T20 cricket) were considered but found to degrade too quickly over 80+ overs.
How does the pink ball behave differently?
The pink ball swings more than the red ball, particularly under lights and in the twilight session when natural and artificial light mix. It can become slippery with dew in evening sessions, reducing its effectiveness for spin bowlers and even fast bowlers in the final session of the day. The twilight session is widely regarded as the hardest time to bat in day-night Tests.
When was the first day-night Test match?
The first ICC-approved day-night Test match was played at Adelaide Oval, Australia, from 27–29 November 2015 between Australia and New Zealand. Australia won in three days. Adelaide has since become the most prominent host of day-night Tests.
Do all countries play day-night Tests?
Most major Test nations have played day-night Tests, but adoption has been uneven. Some countries face challenges with dew (particularly in South Asia), which can make the evening session almost unplayable for bowling sides. Others cite scheduling and broadcast considerations. Day-night Tests remain less common than traditional day Tests but are growing in number as boards seek to attract evening audiences.