Cricket: Pink balls swing less - Nevill

Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.
Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

Incumbent Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill says pink balls present challenges for both batsmen and bowlers, but doesn't anticipate any issues when they are used for the historic first day-night cricket Test in Adelaide next month.

Nevill and most of the NSW Blues' many international players had an outdoor training run with pink balls at Blacktown International Sports Park in western Sydney on Tuesday.

A storm interrupted the session, but when they returned there was a rainbow overhead and NSW and Australian captain Steve Smith was one of the first to get a hit with the pink ball in some centre wicket practice.

The first round of Sheffield Shield matches next week will be played with pink balls in day-night conditions to help prepare the players for the third Test against New Zealand.

It will be the third straight Shield season in which a day-night round has been scheduled.

"There are some differences between the [different coloured] balls, but the way I like to think of it, is it's like any other conditions you have to adapt to," Nevill said.

"Whether it's the pitch or the outfield, or the bowlers.

"In previous years the hardness of the ball, it tended to soften up a bit, also the amount of swing it gets - reverse swing is different to a red ball.

"We generally found that it swung less."

He said it was difficult to say whether the pink ball was better for batsmen or bowlers.

"I think it's challenging for both," Nevill said.

"If the bowlers aren't able to swing the ball or if the batters are trying to hit a soft ball through the field, it can be a little bit harder."

Watching from in front and behind the stumps, Nevill had no problems seeing the pink ball, even once it got older.

"When I've played previously in terms of picking the ball up as a wicketkeeper I haven't found it any different, the same goes for batting," Nevill said.

"I didn't find there was much discolouration."

Nevill wasn't concerned the Australian Test players weren't getting any red ball match practice before the first Test in Brisbane or any more pink ball playing opportunities before the game in Adelaide.

"It's a very busy schedule being able to find the time to do that is difficult," he said.

Add a Comment

OUTSTREAM