- ICC trials pink ball to reduce bad light stoppages
- New Test cricket trial aims to keep play on the field
- England and New Zealand series unaffected by new plan
The International Cricket Council is preparing to introduce a trial that could significantly reduce one of Test cricket’s most persistent frustrations, with pink balls set to be used during periods of bad light in traditionally scheduled red ball matches.
Following its Board meeting in Ahmedabad, the ICC announced the move to keep play on the field for longer and minimise interruptions that have increasingly frustrated players, spectators and broadcasters alike.
A fresh approach to a long standing issue
Since introducing pink balls for day night Tests in 2015, cricket’s governing bodies have never used them as a replacement for the traditional red ball during a Test match. Under the proposed trial, teams would have the option of switching to a pink ball when deteriorating light conditions would otherwise force play to stop.
The ICC is still finalising details surrounding the initiative, including when the trial will officially begin. As a result, it will not be available for the opening Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, which starts on Thursday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is currently in discussions with the ICC to understand the practicalities of the proposal. Any use of the pink ball during a Test match would require agreement from both competing teams before the game begins.
Read more: West Indies cricket schedule 2026 packed with major series
Why bad light has become a major talking point
Bad light continues to disrupt Test cricket despite the widespread use of powerful floodlighting systems at modern international venues.
Poor light wreaked havoc during England’s third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval in 2024, forcing officials to abandon more than half of the opening day’s play.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was among those calling for a more practical solution. Speaking at the time, he said:
“You go to a pink ball and carry on. Teams will have to accept they get unlucky. All these ideas, you’re not going to appease everyone. I just want to see them carry on.”
ICC trials pink ball as research continues
The governing body has not outlined how long the trial will run but confirmed it will work alongside the Marylebone Cricket Club to investigate advancements in lighting technology for both venues and match officials.
The move is seen as part of a wider effort to modernise Test cricket while preserving the traditional format that remains the pinnacle of the game.
The pink ball’s growing influence in Test cricket
Pink ball cricket has become a familiar spectacle around the world over the past decade. Since Australia and New Zealand contested the first men’s day night Test in Adelaide in 2015, there have been 25 such matches. England has staged only one, when it defeated West Indies at Edgbaston in 2017.
Australia, meanwhile, has dominated day night Test cricket. The hosts have won 14 of their 15 pink ball Tests and every Ashes day night Test played on home soil since the format joined the series in 2017.
Despite that record, England is reportedly considering whether to decline a day night Ashes Test during its 2029-30 tour. However, next March’s historic 150th anniversary Test between England and Australia in Melbourne is already scheduled to be played under lights.
Also read: Santner added to New Zealand Test squad
Other key decisions from the ICC board meeting
Elsewhere, the ICC approved a rule change allowing head coaches to enter the field during drinks breaks in T20 internationals. The decision reflects practices that have become increasingly common across major franchise competitions.
The Board also acknowledged concerns over the rapid growth of franchise cricket around the world. In response, the ICC will establish a committee tasked with finding greater alignment between the international calendar and the expanding franchise landscape.
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