CA to trial pink balls in Futures League

Melbourne:

Day-night Tests could soon be a reality after Cricket Australia (CA) on Monday confirmed that it will trial a pink ball under lights during a Futures League match at Adelaide Oval next week.

The trial will be conducted during a three-day match between South Australia and Western Australia from February 2-4. The play will start at 2.30pm everyday and finish at 9.30pm.

The purpose of the trial is to test, under match conditions, the visibility of the coloured ball under day and artificial light, and also to monitor its discoloration throughout the innings.

The initial test-runs will be followed by further trials to assess the visibility and suitability of coloured balls for broadcast TV.

In an effort to save the dying fortunes of Test cricket, the International Cricket Council and CA are keen to start the five-day game under under lights.

"Cricket Australia is committed to finding a way to make day-night Test cricket a reality and the Adelaide Oval trial is one of many steps that need to be taken before this vision is realised," CA chief executive officer James Sutherland said in a statement.

"The results of the trial won't provide all the answers or a definitive outcome, but it will give us important information and feedback on the delivery of the project," he added.