Hamilton Masakadza sheds light on the pink-ball batting challenge

Senior Zimbabwe campaigner and opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza believes it’s altogether a different sphere to bat under lights in the pink-ball game which eventually according to him could be a huge challenge for the newcomers to face the bowlers under the lights.

“It will definitely be a lot harder for the guy coming in,” Masakadza told Cricket 365.

Masakadza remarked the batsman who has spent quality time on the crease and has the experience of playing against the pink-ball would find the situation much easier for the batting.

“It will be easier for the batsman that is in to take care of that transition period than for someone that is just starting up,” Masakadza maintained.

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The 34-year-old Harare-based top-order batsman believes the pink-ball isn’t doing much, but it has lit on an offer under the floodlights while adding the red-cherry did a lot owing to the comparison.

“It doesn’t do as much as the red ball early on, it doesn’t swing as much, but it did do a little bit under lights,” Masakadza asserted.

(Read Also: South Africa yet to take a call on Faf du Plessis’ availability against Zimbabwe)

Masakadza, who has been a prominent face for Zimbabwean cricket reiterated the difference is pretty visible while making use of both the balls in such a format when it comes to batting under the natural light.

While experience the outing in the middle Masakadza feels there is no hint of swing when it comes to bowl with the pink ball

“I thought it also stopped swinging much quicker than the red ball. There is a definite difference. It is not too big but there is a difference in that period when the lights take effect,” Masakadza said.

Interestingly, Zimbabwe team under the leadership of Graeme Cremer is in South Africa to play the first-ever and historic four-day Test fixture which will commence on the Boxing Day (December 26) in Port Elizabeth.

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In the ongoing three-day practice game, at the stumps of day two Zimbabwe is leading by 29 runs, as Hamilton Masakadza was dismissed for nought after scoring 79 runs in first innings.

(Read Further: South Africa vs Zimbabwe: AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn make a comeback in Test cricket)

The visitors’ struggled after being dismissed for 196 in the first innings as they are reeling in the second innings at 120 for seven in 40 overs.

“Just with the practices we’ve had and this game, it has definitely skidded on a bit more and done a bit more under lights that it did in the afternoon,” Masakadza concluded.

In response, South Africa Invitation XI at Boland Park in Paarl scored 287 runs in its first innings.

While concluding Masakadza remarked his national side is looking forward to giving their best in the challenging game and consider it further as a learning curve for the side.

Brendon Taylor and Kyle Jarvis have already returned to the Zimbabwean fold which would strengthen the core of the team before taking on formidable Faf du Plessis-led South Africa.

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Making his debut in 2001, Masakadza played 35 Tests for Zimbabwe in which he scored 2,071 runs at an average of 30.45.