ICC approves red-to-pink ball change to reduce bad-light impact in Test cricket

Both teams will have to agree to changing the ball from red to pink in case of bad light during a Test match

ESPNcricinfo staff

Published: Jun 1, 2026, 12:06 PM (2 hrs ago)

In an attempt to reduce the impact of bad light on Test matches, the ICC has approved a trial of switching from a red ball to a pink ball before the start of a Test that is likely to be affected by bad light, subject to the prior agreement of both participating teams.*

The decision was one of several recommendations from the Chief Executives Committee that were approved by the ICC Board at a meeting in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Until now pink balls were used exclusively in day-night Test matches, which are also regularly played largely in Australia and no where else, but the trial of changing from a red ball to a pink ball during a day Test seeks to allow play to continue under lights and minimise the time and overs lost to bad light.

It is understood that the process for the playing conditions to take effect won't be in place in time for the series between England and New Zealand from June 4. The ICC also said it would undertake research "on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light, with ICC co-funding R&D projects alongside Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)."

The ICC board also approved a recommendation that will allow head coaches - or designated staff - to enter the field of play during scheduled drinks intervals and consult with their players in ODIs and T20Is. This was not permitted in international cricket - messages could only be relayed by the players running drinks - but has been a feature in franchise T20 leagues like the IPL, where coaches interact with their players during strategic timeouts.

Related

Women's Champions Trophy 2027 moved from June to February

ICC working on rule to give bowlers 'more leeway on wides'

How new wide rule will make batters up their game

In T20I internationals, the ICC said the break between innings would be 15 minutes, and batters would be required to be ready at the resumption of play.

In 2025, the ICC had begun trials to give bowlers leeway down the leg side for wide calls, and it has decided to permanently adopt the practice of using guide lines to help umpires adjudicate wides down the line side, especially when a batter is moving around his crease.

And in the case of suspect bowling actions, the ICC said it would help match officials access Hawk-Eye data when considering whether to report a bowler.

1315 GMT, June 1 - A change was made to reflect that the switch from red to pink ball would have to be made at the start of the Test, and not during the match

Click here to read article