EXPLAINED: How is pink ball different from the red ball in Tests?

The first pink ball Test was played in 2015 between Australia and New Zealand. However, since then, there have been so few iterations of the Test in both international and domestic cricket that players haven’t fully adapted to the once-a-year event. 

That’s why as it’s time for another pink ball Test, fans and experts are trying to make sense of how the pink ball is different and how the players can adjust to it the best way possible. As it turns out, the pink ball isn’t just a flashier sibling of the traditional red cherry. It’s like a cousin who loves the nightlife. 

So, how are the red and pink balls different? 

The biggest difference between the two balls is the amount of lacquer (shiny coating) on both. While the red ball’s cherry red livery is carefully polished, the pink ball has some paint applied to it during manufacturing, and then, instead of just polishing, an extra layer of lacquer is added to it so the ball can last longer. 

The seam (stitching) on the ball remains largely the same as per the manufacturer’s standards. 

But how does it affect the game?

To understand that, just keep in mind that a cricket ball swings in the air because of the difference in air friction on both sides of the ball. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain the condition of the ball. 

With an extra coat of shine on the pink ball, the shine doesn’t go away as quickly as the red ball. It stays longer, so the pink ball moves laterally in the air for more overs than the red cherry. 

Apart from that, the extra lacquer also allows the pink ball to skid more (smoother surface, so lesser friction), and the pace loss after pitching is minimal. That’s why both pacers and spinners can deceive the batters due to a noticeable change in pace. 

Batters are accustomed to playing the red ball, and their reaction times for particular bowlers and kinds of deliveries are set accordingly. With the pink ball skidding a lot more, the reaction time also has to come down for the batters, and that’s where the real adjustment comes for them. 

Add to it the fact that the games are played at night, and now you have a whole set of new challenges to face as a batter. That’s why Cheteshwar Pujara (in a recent video for Star Sports) called the twilight period the hardest to face. 

“Whoever has played with the pink ball, they’ll tell you that the roughest time to bat is the twilight period,” the India veteran said. 

“Because the light isn’t ideal, it’s not dark enough for the stadium lights to take over, and the daylight isn’t bright enough. So it becomes quite challenging for the batters to see the pink ball.”

Does it affect the bowlers and fielders as well? 

Yes, but not as much as the batters. While the bowlers have a lot going for them, sometimes the biggest challenge for them is to control the amount of movement they are imparting on the ball through their wrist position and release. That’s where the likes of Mitchell Starc have excelled and set a template for most pacers in the world to follow. 

Meanwhile, because of the lacquer, the ball travels quicker in the air (lesser air friction), and the fielders, especially in the slips, find it harder to grab their chances as the ball comes to them much quicker than its red version. They must also factor in the lateral movement after it passes the batter.

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