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Why Pink? Explaining  science behind ICC's decision to use Pink Ball in Day-Night Test Cricket

Prachi Rajan

Why is the pink ball used in Test cricket (Source: AFP)Why is the pink ball used in Test cricket (Source: AFP)

England and Australia are currently locking horns in the day-night Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, the 2nd game in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series. Australia are playing their 15th day & night Test, the most in the history of the sport. On the other hand, England has played only seven so far and doesn't have an excellent record with the pink ball. 

However, with the longest format of the game, Test cricket being so popular, especially in countries like Australia and England, why did the apex body of cricket, the ICC, introduce the format under the lights, and why is the pink ball used in Test cricket?  

Why did ICC bring pink ball into Test cricket? 

In the recent decade, the interest in the longest and oldest format of the game, Test cricket, has seen a significant dip. Ever since the shorter formats have been introduced, the craze of fast-paced and time-saving games has been stealing the a massive chunk of the audience. 

Considering the same, the ICC introduced the day-night Test match to attract a larger audience back to the most premier format of the game. Played in the latter half of the day, this format also brings the masses to the stadiums. 

Why is the pink ball used in Test cricket?

The pink ball is made to provide clear visibility to players under the lights. Unlike the red ball, there is no visibility issue with this ball under the floodlit conditions. On top of that, the white ball is not used because in Test games, the players also wear white jerseys. 

Hence, the pink ball offers a better visual contrast during the day, in natural light, as well as at the night under the floodlight. 

Coming to the nature of that ball, the pink ball swings a lot more, making the final session of a day-night Test even more enjoyable. As seen over the time, bowlers have the opportunity to use the favourable conditions to the fullest, causing a team collapse.