The players mightn't fancy it, but cricket ball makers Kookaburra are confident their pink ball is ready for test cricket.
The first test which had been pencilled in for a possible day-night test debut is between New Zealand and Australia, most likely in Adelaide, later this year. However, players from both countries are not keen on it, partly because trials had proved the ball unreliable in its behaviour and partly because it was seen as a gimmick the premier form of the game didn't need.
But Kookaburra managing director Brett Elliot has said the pink ball is now ready for test matches.
Six years ago, the MCC recommended experimenting with the ball and it has since been used by the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia, and regularly fine-tuned to improve performance under lights.
"We have also supplied a number of other ICC members like CSA [South Africa] and WICB [West Indies], and have been equally happy with its performances at domestic level," Elliot said.
