The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a significant trial aimed at reducing the amount of playing time lost to bad light in Test cricket, allowing teams to switch from the traditional red ball to a pink ball during a match under certain circumstances.
The decision was one of several key outcomes from the ICC Board meetings held in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday.
Under the new trial, Test-playing nations will be permitted to change from a red ball to a pink ball if bad light threatens play, provided both teams agree to the switch beforehand. The move is designed to maximise playing time and prevent premature stoppages caused by deteriorating visibility, a longstanding issue in the longest format of the game.
The pink ball, already used in day-night Test matches, is generally considered easier to see under artificial lighting and in twilight conditions. The trial could offer a practical solution to one of cricket’s most frustrating interruptions, particularly in countries where weather and fading light frequently affect play.
The ICC also announced that it will work alongside the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to research lighting technology that could further reduce the amount of cricket lost due to poor light. The governing body will co-fund research and development projects aimed at improving visibility standards for both players and match officials.
The proposal comes amid growing calls within the game to modernise regulations surrounding bad-light stoppages. While technology has transformed many aspects of cricket, the issue of visibility remains largely dependent on the judgment of umpires and existing venue infrastructure.
In addition to the pink-ball trial, the ICC Board approved a number of playing-condition changes. These include granting head coaches or their designated representatives access to players during scheduled drinks intervals, introducing mandatory 15-minute innings breaks in T20 Internationals, and requiring batters to be ready immediately when play resumes.
The Board also confirmed the permanent adoption of the leg-side wides trial and approved the implementation of all remaining MCC Law changes from October 1, 2026.
The pink-ball initiative is expected to attract considerable attention from players, broadcasters and fans alike. While its use during day-night Tests has become commonplace, this marks the first time the ICC has formally explored introducing the pink ball as an in-match solution to preserve playing time in traditional red-ball Test cricket.
If the trial proves successful, it could represent one of the most notable changes to Test cricket’s playing conditions in recent years, balancing tradition with innovation in an effort to ensure that more cricket is played and fewer hours are lost to the fading light.
