Pink-Ball Tests Still Aren’t Ready — The Twilight Period Proves It

By Moniram Philip Ramcharitar | BatSkillsCricket.com

Cricket is evolving, but some experiments have exposed the limits of change. As Australia and England prepare for the second Test of the 2025–26 Ashes — under lights with a pink ball — one question is unavoidable: is the pink-ball Test format truly ready for the modern game, or is it still an experiment?

The ICC’s Ambition

The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced day/night Tests to address a simple problem: global attention. Evening sessions allow working fans to attend matches, increase TV audiences, and potentially improve broadcast revenue.

Day/night cricket has seen moderate success in ODIs and T20s, but Test cricket is a different proposition. A 5-day format that tests technique, patience, and resilience is fundamentally harder to adapt to artificial conditions.

The Twilight Problem

The most glaring flaw in pink-ball Tests is the twilight period — roughly 60–90 minutes at the end of the day when the light changes.

During twilight:

• Swing spikes dramatically — the pink ball, unlike the traditional red ball, moves unpredictably.

• Seam movement increases — bowlers can exploit this disproportionately.

• Visibility drops — batters struggle to pick the ball, making conditions unfair.

In practical terms, this period often produces clusters of wickets, which are largely session-dependent rather than skill-dependent.

Why This Matters

Test cricket is built on balance:

• Morning sessions favor bowlers under natural conditions.

• Afternoon sessions often favor batters.

• Spinners dominate later in the day.

The twilight anomaly distorts this balance, creating artificial collapse windows and forcing captains to make tactical decisions based on light, not cricketing logic.

The Format Isn’t Ready

It isn’t just the ball — it’s the entire day/night Test format. Players must switch between traditional red-ball conditions and experimental pink-ball matches within the same series. Preparation, mental focus, and technique are all affected.

Until we develop:

• A pink ball that replicates red-ball behavior in all conditions, and

• Playing environments that balance twilight, lighting, and pitch preparation

…day/night Tests will remain experimental.

Innovation vs. Integrity

Having developed Roundabout™, I understand the importance of innovation in cricket — but it must strengthen the game, not compromise its essence.

T20s and ODIs are perfectly suited to evening matches and entertainment-focused formats. Test cricket, however, is about skill, endurance, and strategy. Disrupting these elements for the sake of novelty risks undermining the integrity of the sport.

Conclusion

The evidence is clear: pink-ball Tests create conditions that artificially favor bowlers, distort outcomes, and shorten matches. Until the pink ball and day/night Test format can reliably replicate the balance of traditional red-ball cricket, this experiment should be treated with caution.

The pink-ball Test format simply isn’t ready — and Test cricket deserves better.