MCC experiments with pink ball

Date released: 13 November 2007

Long-trusted as guardians of the laws of cricket, MCC are experimenting with a new ball.

The new ball, currently being tested in conjunction with Imperial College, is pink.

There have been many discussions about the strengths and weaknesses of the white ball, first used in 1978-79.

As MCC Assistant Secretary (Cricket), John Stephenson explains it's not about the traditional red ball but instead about compensating for difficulties with the white one:

The pink and white balls "The challenge is to create a ball that retains its colour.

"It's well known that the white ball deteriorates more quickly than the red. Paint flakes off making them inconsistent.

Early experiments

MCC will experiment with the pink balls, manufactured by Kookaburra, in MCC University matches in 2008.

Dependent upon the results from these early tests the experiment may be extended into other matches.

John Stephenson with the new pink ball "This is still very much at an embryonic stage." Stephenson said.

"Obviously we hope that this new ball will counteract many of the problems we have with the white ball.

"As well as overcoming the problems with the deterioration of the ball, we anticipate that batsmen will find the pink ball easier to see, particularly in poor light.

"We'll be testing it extensively in the MCC Indoor School but ultimately testing it in matches will tell us more."