Cricket: Mixed feedback for pink ball after day two

Australia's Mitchell Marsh, right, successfully appeals for a lbw decision on New Zealand's Brendon McCullum, left, during their cricket test in Adelaide. Photo / AP.

Josh Hazlewood believes the pink ball is a bit bipolar, while Ross Taylor says further investigation needs to be done on the viability of day-night Tests.

The third Test between Australia and New Zealand has delivered 25 wickets in two days of helter-skelter cricket.

There is every chance the Adelaide Oval clash will finish on day three. Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland has already flagged the prospect of two day-night fixtures being played next summer.

Sutherland is understandably pleased with TV ratings and crowds for the ongoing fixture - some 42,373 fans filed in for day two. But player feedback has been mixed.

Australia paceman Hazlewood grabbed 3-32 from 16 overs on Saturday night but was still coming to grips with the new Kookaburra.

"The pink ball is a little bit inconsistent," Hazlewood said. "Some swing and some don't when you're trying to bowl the same ball. "It's inconsistent but there's that nice little bit of grass on the wicket."

However, Hazlewood agreed with Sutherland that the Test had been a "success".

New Zealand Cricket are already in talks with Bangladesh regarding a day-night Test. Veteran Kiwi batsman Taylor was guarded when asked about the future of the concept.

"A little bit more exploring needs to be done," Taylor said. "There's been a few factors that have helped the ball stay intact. It's a pretty lush wicket, the outfield is quite long. "In a few of the warm-up games if you hit it hard into the pickets, the ball got pretty old pretty quickly.

"If there's an abrasive wicket ... there would be different dynamics." Taylor added "we'll see what happens if we can ever get to a second new ball". NZ's first innings ended after 65.2 overs, while Australia's first dig was over after 72.1 overs.

A grassy pitch has played a part, especially after the first and second Tests were played on docile decks in Brisbane and Perth. "It's done a little bit to keep the batters on their toes the whole time," Taylor said.

"We know it (the pink ball) is going to do a little bit more under lights and there is a bit of a glow around the ball, so it's a bit harder to see at the start of your innings." Steve Smith fumbled two slips catches in the final session, with Hazlewood unsure whether the pink ball played a part.

"He'll probably say yes," Hazlewood said. "I think that twilight period is when it's at its toughest. Once it goes pitch back, it's not too bad."

-AAP