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The game of cricket has evolved over the years. In the modern day, the game has tilted towards the batters as the pitches mostly favour the batters, and bowling has been a difficult part in the contemporary world of the game. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made several changes to the game and will now make further changes.
The apex body has approved the red-to-pink ball change to reduce bad-light impact in Test cricket. This is a serious change in the traditional format of the game. They have given the green light for the trial of changing from a red ball to a pink ball before the start of a Test that is likely to be affected by poor lighting, subject to prior approval of both participating teams.
The ICC also said it would undertake research "on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light, with ICC co-funding R&D projects alongside Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)." Ahead of the trial run, former South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen has provided his verdict on the change on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
There's a gulf between red and pink balls- Rassie van der Dussen
The former Proteas batter has taken an indirect dig at Jay Shah and other board members over their decision to change the red ball to a pink ball. He has said there is a huge difference between the two balls, with completely different kinds of movement and playing styles as well.
Who makes these decisions!?
Honestly 😂
There's a gulf between red and pink balls - ask anyone who's played with them.
They react and feel completely different.
And while we're at it, stop day night/pink ball Tests altogether.
It's just not the same! https://t.co/3NSkRv9k3y— Rassie van der Dussen (@Rassie72) June 1, 2026
Rassie tweeted, "Who makes these decisions!? Honestly. There's a gulf between red and pink balls - ask anyone who's played with them. They react and feel completely different. And while we're at it, stop day night/pink ball Tests altogether. It's just not the same!"
Will bowlers have the edge in Test cricket?
So far, pink balls have been used only for day-night Test matches, which are also regularly played largely in Australia and nowhere else. There have been day/night Test matches in many parts of the country, but the Aussies have played the most times in the history of the game.
As a result, it will be exciting to watch how many teams participate in the trial run, especially since ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points are on the line. The pink ball has a history of benefitting seam bowlers, whereas hitters struggle, particularly in the twilight.
New rules from ICC
Other than that, a new rule has been introduced as per the rule from the ICC, it will allow head coaches and selected staff to enter the field of play during drinks intervals to talk with their players. This was not permitted in international cricket. Previously, messages could only be communicated by players running with drinks.
But it has become common in franchise T20 tournaments such as the IPL, when coaches interact with their players during strategic timeouts. The apex body has also informed that now in the shortest format of the game, the break between innings would be 15 minutes, and batters would be required to be ready at the resumption of play.
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