Overview
- Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock publicly argued that using a pink ball in regular daytime Tests would have preserved dozens of overs lost to bad light during the Durban Test, saying it would have allowed about 45 more overs.
- The International Cricket Council has opened a trial that permits a pink ball in daytime Tests only if both captains agree before the match and the choice must apply for the whole game with no mid-match switching.
- Kingsmead in Durban lost roughly 60 overs across the first three days of the South Africa–Australia Test, and a visible incident — Nic Maddinson’s six that Ryan Rickelton failed to see — prompted umpires to check the light meter and call stumps.
- Some coaches and players, including South Africa assistant coach Ashwell Prince, warn teams may refuse pre-match pink-ball agreements because experience with pink-ball conditions varies and they fear competitive unfairness.
- Analysis and officials note the pink ball is used mainly in day-night Tests for visibility under lights and that ball-tracking data does not clearly show extra swing from pink balls, so the debate centers on sighting and playing-time trade-offs rather than proven change in movement.