The red ball has been pathetic for so long; replace it with pink-ball for all Tests, calls Shane Warne
Shane Warne bats for use of pink-ball across all Test matches
|ICC
Shane Warne has called for ICC to swap the red-ball with the pink-ball for all Test matches and not just for the Day-Night Tests, calling the red-ball âpatheticâ with the exception of the Dukes. He also added that from a spectacle point of view, the pink-ball does much better than its counterparts.
Ever since itâs innovation, the pink-ball has been exclusive to the day-night Test event, where the ball has swung well under the lights to trouble the batsmen. On top of that, it has also offered more to the pacers than the traditional red-ball, partly because of the âunder-lightsâ factor.Â
However, former Australian spinner and a great of cricket, Shane Warne calls for the pink-ball to replace the red-ball in all Test matches. The leg-spinner also tore apart the legacy of the red-ball, calling it âpatheticâ and stated that it goes soft after 25 overs, which makes the matches boring, with the exception of the Dukes ball in England.Â
âNo more red ball, it doesnât swing, it doesnât do anything, goes soft after 25 overs. It has been pathetic for so long now. Except for the Dukes ball in England, it has been rubbish. The pink ball canât be any worse than what the red ball has been for Test cricket. We havenât seen swing, we havenât seen seam. Absolutely nothing. So letâs try the pink ball in Test cricket,â Warne said on Fox Cricket.
Not just that, the leg-spinner also bats for the pink-ball over red-ball because of the crowd-factor. He reckoned that the pink-ball in a Test match offers more of a viewing experience and a spectacle to the fans, who flock to watch the five-day format. Alongside that, he also added that the ICC could look into changing the pink cherry after 60 overs instead of 80 overs.Â
âThe pink ball, you can actually see the ball easier, crowd can see the ball easier. It generally does more than the red ball and it looks fantastic on TV. So why not use a pink ball the whole time? Maybe change it at 60 overs because it goes soft, but Iâd be using the pink ball for every Test match so more of it I would say.â
âIâve been saying this for the last few years. I believe the pink ball should be used in all Test matches. Day games, not just day-night games,â Warne concluded.Â
Currently, India are playing Australia with the pink-ball in the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval, which also is the countryâs second pink-ball encounter in its Test cricketing history.
