MCC's pink ball solution for IPL

Date released: 12 November 2009

Use of pink balls in the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) came a step closer following a presentation to IPL franchises by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

Former England player Stephenson has tried out the pink balls himself MCC Assistant Secretary John Stephenson gave the presentation to the gathering of IPL franchises in Bangkok, Thailand and reinforced MCC’s belief that pink balls are the solution for one day cricket and that further research would prove their worth in longer formats of the game.

As a result, the DLF Indian Premier League Chairman Lalit Modi will distribute 200 pink balls amongst the franchises for practise matches and feedback.

Pink balls could then feature in season three of the IPL, in March and April 2010, and the subsequent Airtel Twenty20 Champions League later in the year.

Stephenson said: "The concept of using pink balls in the IPL received a very positive reception from the franchise owners.

"The successful use of pink balls in the IPL would be a major step towards their acceptance in international cricket, as it would expose most of the world’s top Test players to the ball.

_"It would also add further weight to the IPL’s standing as a progressive force in the game.”

Stephenson spoke about the attractiveness that the pink ball provides for the potential use in Test cricket, to combat a decline in spectator attendances:

"Pink balls are suitable for use with white or coloured clothing, during the day or at night.

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has also used a pink ball in match conditions "They are easily visible to spectators, they work well on television and are innovative and marketable.

"Importantly, the balls behave as cricket balls should and have already received backing from top players and umpires, such as Shaun Pollock and Steve Waugh.

"It is a compelling case to take forward for international cricket."

History of pink balls

In 2007 ICC (International Cricket Council) changed the rules in One Day Internationals to include a mandatory ball change at the 35th over.

The visibility of the white ball tended to deteriorate as the paint flaked off leaving a green or grey appearance.

November 2007: MCC state a solution must be found to ensure just one ball is used per innings in limited overs cricket and so set about trying to improve the durability of the white ball.

March 2008: Attempts to make the white ball stay whiter for longer did not meet with immediate success, so, in addition, MCC began to look at other coloured cricket balls. Pink emerged as the most promising.

In 2008 and 2009 MCC experimented with pink balls in various MCC, MCC University and MCC Young Cricketer matches. These were played over 20, 40 and 50 overs.

July 2009: MCC’s World Cricket Committee suggest using pink balls for day/night Test cricket, to try and arrest the decline in Test match attendances the world over.

August 2009: MCC receive support from Cricket Australia in the quest to perfect the pink ball; they begin trials in their Brisbane academy.

September 2009: A pink ball is used in the floodlit and televised finals of the English national club competition - the Cockspur Club Twenty20.

November 2009: MCC published research that suggests 70% of cricket fans in India, South Africa and New Zealand would be more likely to attend Tests if they were played as day/night games.

Looking ahead

MCC will strive to perfect a lasting, pink ball that is visible at night and would allow Test cricket to remain a game played in 'whites' (white clothing).

The Club will work with Imperial College, London, to find a way to dye the leather of a ball pink, as opposed to using a paint or lacquer. This would ensure the longevity of the balls’ colour.

In addition, ball manufacturers Tiflex, Dukes and Kookaburra are working towards a solution and have reported encouraging progress.

MCC World Cricket Committee Members, such as Shaun Pollock, Steve Waugh and Rahul Dravid, will continue to test the balls and lobby cricket authorities in their respective countries.

MCC will conduct further tests in next season’s MCC and MCC University matches, potentially to include the MCC v Champion County fixture in April 2010.