Experts add colour to MCC ball talks

Date released: 10 March 2009

The viability of coloured cricket balls is the hot topic to be discussed at Lord’s on Wednesday 11 March when MCC hosts a meeting involving cricket ball experts from around the world.

Representatives from MCC, the England and Wales Cricket Board, Cricket Australia, Imperial College London, four ball manufacturers and a television company will gather at Lord’s to discuss the future use of white and coloured balls in all forms of cricket.

Interest in coloured balls has gained momentum around the cricket world.

Lewis: Working hard to find 'the coloured cricket ball solution' In May 2008, MCC’s World Cricket Committee, chaired by Tony Lewis, suggested the possibility of staging day/night Test cricket, particularly in countries where crowd sizes are falling.

MCC had already been working with ball manufacturers and its research partner, Imperial College London, to find a coloured ball which would last for at least 50 overs in One Day International cricket.

The four ball manufacturers represented at the meeting are Dukes, Kookaburra, SG and Tiflex. They all produce balls that are used in first class cricket.

Tony Lewis will conduct proceedings at tomorrow’s meeting and explains MCC’s role in the process:

"As Guardian of the Laws of Cricket, we have a duty to conduct independent research and development for the good of the game and present findings to those tasked with implementation.

"MCC and its World Cricket Committee is working hard to find the coloured cricket ball solution for One Day and, potentially, Test cricket.

A pink cricket ball and a one-day match white ball "The aim of tomorrow’s meeting is to discuss a number of issues - can we find a coloured ball to use under floodlights, can such a ball last for at least 80 overs, is it clearly visible for players, TV cameras and spectators and does it behave and deteriorate in a similar way to the traditional red ball?

"Rather than overnight quick fixes, we’ll be looking for lasting solutions."

Continued testing

MCC has, to date, trialled a pink ball in seven separate games or tournaments, with largely successful results. Players and umpires have reported improved colour retention and visibility and its use in a televised match was well received, with no ‘comet trail’ in evidence.

MCC will continue to research the use of the pink (and other coloured) balls in 2009 and hopes to persuade worldwide cricket authorities to increase the frequency of these trials.

Waugh: Felt pink ball was easier to see As part of this research, Imperial College London will further develop its investigation into the construction of cricket balls and specifically the way colour is applied.

Following a request to MCC World Cricket Committee members to help take trials around the world, Steve Waugh ensured the pink ball was used at the recent floodlit Bushfire Appeal game in Sydney. He said:

"The match ball got plenty of attention, players and spectators liked it. I felt it was easier to see than the white ball and my teammates were happy with its colour durability."