Why pink ball is used in cricket
Cricket is renowned for its traditions and eccentricities, with the ball used in cricket games being no exception. White balls have been utilized for One Day Internationals (ODIs) since 1971 while red cherry has reigned supreme in Test matches for ages. However, as day/night Tests became a reality, a new entrant into this unique club was introduced – the pink cricket ball.
Why Pink Balls are Used For Night Games
One of the most significant changes made to modern-day cricket has been the adaptation of day-night Test Matches, opening up avenues for fans who would not usually be able to participate or watch due to time constraints. In these matches, everything from playing strategies to viewing experiences changes – including the color of the cricket ball.
To understand why pink balls were chosen out of all possible colors, it’s essential to know how visibility factors into professional cricket play. For players to actively navigate around the field and make split-second decisions during games, optimal sight on both the field and ball is necessary. Traditional red balls caused problems as they tend to blend into the evening sky and are thus hard to pick up by players under lights.
Initially white balls were considered since they had already proven successful in ODIs and T20s played under floodlights. But there was a significant problem -the outfield’s gleaming white sightscreen led wearing off quickly, affecting ball longevity. This drawback posed an issue when trying to use them in Test matches which span over five days.
In comparison, pink balls maintain their brightly-colored sheen even after rough usage, lasting much longer than white balls making them suitable for extended gameplay often seen in tests. The neon pink hue also showed minimal visual distortion under floodlights against colored clothing and grassy surfaces – resultingantly optimizing player performance levels on-field.
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Manufacturing of Pink Cricket Balls
The manufacturing process for creating pink cricket balls involves intense labor and precision. They are manufactured using traditional methods but with a few modifications. The core of the ball is made from cork, wrapped in twine, and then layered with quality leather dyed in neon pink.
To maintain high visibility under floodlights and prevent discoloration over extended use, an extra layer of pigment is added. Finally, they’re stitched together hardened by a specialized lacquer to ensure durability – these steps make the balls retain their color and shine over time despite ground abrasions.
The Acceptance By Players
Though change always takes some adjusting period, the majority of cricketers have been welcoming towards this new introduction. There was initial hesitancy amongst players due to differences in swing-based characteristics when compared to red-ball behavior; however, most now acknowledge that any nuances just add another dimension to the beautiful game, making it more challenging yet exciting at the same time.
Prospects for the Future
The usage of pink balls heralded a new era for test cricket- not only marking an important moment of innovation in sport history but also creating opportunities for testing other night match variants such as twilight ODIs or even midnight T20s!
While it cannot be stated if pink will become universally accepted or shared its duties with another color variant down the line, one thing is for sure: its introduction has opened up countless possibilities for innovating match timings while maintaining player performance standards.
In conclusion, the choice of using a pink ball was based on practical concerns related to visibility without compromising aesthetic factors like color distinction and visual appeal; longevity was critical. It’s proven efficient given these criteria across many leagues globally promising interesting prospects moving forward.
