Pink ball passes the initial test but players unsure of its future
The Duleep Trophy opener here was a good start for the pink ball. In the four days, the ball swung, spun and came nicely onto the bat. The BCCI succeeded in its experiment and might think of hosting a pink ball Test soon.
“The experience was good. We came up with a preconceived thought that the ball would move around but it didn’t as much as we thought. It was good to play the first game and be a part of history,” said India Green wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel after losing to India Red by 219 runs.
Parthiv felt that it was early to stage a pink ball Test.
“There is definitely future with the pink ball but it will be too early to say. As we were playing, we didn’t know many things. Yesterday (Thursday) we experienced dew and it could be a factor,” said Parthiv.
The match was played on a thick grass cover of 4mm on the pitch and a relatively lush outfield. Parthiv said rarely would any sub-continent nation play a Test on a green top.
“I have been involved with cricket for a long time, and we should not be playing on green tops because you lose home advantage and that is the way it should be,” he said.
“I am not saying it will be difficult to host a Test with the pink ball but we have to see how it behaves on a drier wicket. We played the Duleep Trophy match on a grassy wicket but let’s see how it does on a drier wicket and outfield,” said Parthiv.
The absence of reverse swing also raised concerns. The ball doesn’t lose its shine and doesn’t get roughed up. On the other hand, the SG Test ball, which is used in day Tests, helps a bowler with swing, reverse swing and turn.
”Surely there is a difference between the red, white and pink ball. SG Test does reverse a bit but the kind of glaze which stays on the pink ball, you don’t see reverse swing. TOO MUCH GRASS Since there is a guideline of 4mm grass and lush outfield, the ball doesn’t get roughed up. I am not sure if reverse swing will happen with this ball. But if we play on a dry wicket, maybe we could see that, but on sub-continent conditions I don’t think a game will be played with this ball, having so much grass on the wicket,” he said.
On sighting the pink ball, Parthiv gave the ball a thumbsup. However, India Red batsman Gurkeerat Mann had trouble figuring out the spinners. Before getting stumped to Shreyas Gopal in the second innings, Mann was beaten thrice by the leggie.
“I had slight problems sighting the ball initially. But once the ball became wet, it was difficult to pick the wrist spinners as they bowled with a cross seam and the revolutions were not clearly visible because the black seam was being overpowered by the bright pink gloss. That is why all the wrist spinners like Yadav and Gopal picked wickets,” said Mann.
The BCCI had decided to host one of the five Tests against the touring New Zealand with the pink ball. But later said it was not sure whether it would be a success. The Australia-New Zealand Test is the only one to have been played with the pink ball. Pakistan are planning to host West Indies at UAE with the pink ball in October. Pakistan also play a Test in Australia under lights.
THE ABSENCE OF REVERSE SWING ALSO RAISED CONCERNS. THE BALL DOESN’T LOSE ITS SHINE AND DOESN’T GET ROUGHED UP