The International Cricket Council will trial pink balls in Test matches to cut play lost to bad light starting in 2026.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) will trial using pink balls in Test cricket to reduce stoppages caused by poor light, marking the first potential swap of the traditional red ball in day Tests. The governing body revealed the trial on Monday and has asked for teams’ confirmation on trialling the pink ball in the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s starting Thursday. Both teams must formally agree before a pink ball is introduced to handle bad light situations.
Play being abandoned due to inadequate lighting has become a growing source of irritation among players, fans and broadcasters, especially as most venues now feature floodlights. During England’s third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval in 2024, over half of the opening day’s play was lost because of dim conditions. Former England captain Michael Vaughan said at the time, 'You go to a pink ball and carry on. Teams will have to accept they get unlucky. All these ideas, you’re not going to appease everyone. I just want to see them carry on.'
The ICC has not disclosed how long the pink ball trial will last but stated it will collaborate with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to study lighting technology for officials and stadiums. The trial aims to examine if pink balls can enhance visibility under low-light conditions and minimise disruptions to the flow of Test matches.
Pink balls have been used in day-night Test matches since 2015, though they have never previously been interchangeable with red balls in day Tests. Since the first men’s day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide 11 years ago, there have been 25 such matches globally. Only one day-night Test has been played in England, when the home side defeated West Indies at Edgbaston in 2017. Australia has dominated under lights, winning 14 of their 15 day-night Tests, including all four Ashes series played under floodlights since 2017-18.
England is considering declining a day-night Test during their next Ashes tour in 2029-30, but the landmark 150th anniversary Test between Australia and England in Melbourne next March will be played under lights. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about the role and scheduling of day-night cricket in bilateral series.
The ICC’s board meeting in Ahmedabad approved a rule allowing head coaches to step onto the field during drinks breaks in T20 international matches, aligning with practices already seen in franchise leagues. The governing body also voiced concerns about the rapid expansion of franchise cricket and plans to form a committee to align international and franchise calendars.
Cricket Canada’s International Cricket Council membership has been suspended immediately due to 'serious breaches of its membership obligations.' The decision reflects ongoing scrutiny of governance and compliance standards within the sport’s global governing body.