Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems to be on war footing to introduce the day-night Test match with pink balls. And for they it won’t leave any stone unturned.
According to sources, the board has got in touch with English manufacturer Dukes and inquired whether they would be able to supply pink balls for international as well as domestic matches under the aegis of BCCI. Three types of balls are used by the cricketing world. India use SG balls, England and West Indies play with Dukes while the rest of the cricket playing nations choose Kookaburra.
The idea to also try SG balls was first mooted by BCCI technical committee chairman Sourav Ganguly during his last meeting and suggested the board to try out the SG balls as it has a thicker seam and will be helpful for Indian bowlers.
“According to Sourav, the pink kookaburra balls’ seam could be a problem in Indian conditions. He suggested that the board should also check out with Duke Company if they can manufacture pink balls with pronounced seam. We are expecting a consignment from Dukes,” a source in the BCCI said.
It has already been decided that pink SG, Dukes and Kookaburra balls will be used during the Duleep Trophy to ascertain which is the best one to last in Indian conditions, and then the board would zero in on one for the day-night Test match that India are contemplating playing against New Zealand in November this year.
However, the pink kookaburra balls were used during the Karnataka Premier League T20 tournament last season, but since the tournament was T20 it’s not possible to say how long the ball would be able to retain its shape and remain usable. “So we are trying out with the Duleep Trophy first,” the source added.
The main concern has been the longevity of pink balls. It has been observed that the balls lose both shape and shine and struggles to last for 100 overs which is a prerequisite.