ICC Approves Trial of Pink Balls in Bad Light at Tests
The board also approved research with the Marylebone Cricket Club into lighting technology to reduce play lost to bad light.
- On Sunday, the International Cricket Council Board approved a trial allowing teams to switch from red to pink balls during Test matches to mitigate delays caused by bad light.
- Bad-Light stoppages have become a contentious issue in Test cricket, prompting the ICC to explore solutions; pink balls have been used in day-night Tests since 2015.
- The trial requires prior agreement from both teams, while the ICC is co-funding research with the Marylebone Cricket Club into lighting technology to improve visibility.
- New playing conditions will not be ready for the upcoming England versus New Zealand series starting June 4, as the governing body finalizes operational details.
- Alongside the pink ball trial, the ICC confirmed that coaches can now consult players during drinks intervals in One-Day Internationals , aligning the format with T20 Internationals.
12 Articles
12 Articles
ICC To Allow Use of Pink Ball on Trial Basis in Tests Affected By Bad Light
It is understood that the match will start with red ball but if there is bad light, then floodlights could be on and pink ball will be used to make up for the overs that could otherwise be lost
ICC approves red-to-pink ball switch to reduce bad-light disruptions in Tests
The usage of pink balls on a trial basis during Test matches in case bad light affects play, and allowing head coaches inside the field of play during drinks breaks, are among the major changes to the playing conditions approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board at its annual meeting in Ahmedabad.
Explained: Why ICC wants pink balls in Tests - Here's what else is changing in 2026
The ICC has approved several rule changes from October 1, 2026, including a pink-ball trial in Test cricket, permanent leg-side wides, coach consultations during drinks breaks and Hawk-Eye use for illegal bowling actions.
ICC Board Meeting decisions: Pink ball for bad light in Tests; coaches allowed at drinks
At its board meeting in India over the weekend, the ICC agreed to trial the use of a pink ball in Tests, “with prior agreement from both teams, to maximise play in case of anticipated bad light.”
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