We should stop comparing pink ball to the red ball - Tim Paine

The idea to play Test format under the lights was introduced to attract and create interests among the fans. It has worked in favour of the longer format. But, one thing that became a part of the discussion is the use of a pink ball in Day-Night games. However, Tim Paine has opened up on the use of that texture and discussed its behaviour.

In November, two Day-Night Test matches were played. One took place at Eden Gardens between Bangladesh and India, followed by the next between Pakistan and Australia. Meanwhile, both the games attracted the audience in huge numbers. In the recently concluded Day-Night match between Australia and Pakistan, 91,879 spectators were in attendance across the four days at the Adelaide Oval.

Tim Paine opines on pink ball use in Day-Night Tests

The use of pink cherry under floodlights lit a debate between cricketing greats over its visibility and behaviour. Now, Tim Paine has said that pink ball games are attracting fans towards the game. He feels that everyone should stop comparing pink ball with the red ball. The Day-Night Tests bring new challenges for the players, so the best ones will find their way to cope up with it according to him.

“I think what we want is people watching Test match cricket and I think the pink-ball day-night Test certainly makes that happen. It’s bringing new people to the game. I think what we need to stop doing is trying to compare the pink ball to the red ball. It’s not going to behave the same, it isn’t the same ball.

“And from a players’ point of view again, day-night Test cricket creates different challenges so the best players will again find a way to succeed. And Mitchell Starc has done it. His record is unbelievably good with the pink ball,” Tim Paine said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

He also added that it might be difficult for the fielders standing in the slip and what difference does it make from the white ball. Paine also praised the performances of David Warner and Mitchell Starc in Adelaide. Starc picked seven wickets while the Aussie opener smashed a brilliant triple ton (335*) in the second Test against Pakistan. “Mitchell Starc has done it. His record is unbelievably good with the pink ball. David Warner has just got a triple century. Marnus got a 100.

“I think it’s just a slight shift in how we think about it. It’s not going to behave like a red ball, it’s not going to behave like a white ball. It’s going to behave like a pink ball. And at the moment it’s relatively new and we’re getting used to it. It can be challenging fielding at night and being in the slips but I don’t think that’s any different to a white ball sometimes either.” he added.