ICC approves use of pink ball in Test cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a major trial measure to reduce the time lost due to poor lighting in Test cricket.

Under the new decision, if there is a risk of poor lighting during a match, the pink ball can be used instead of the red ball with the mutual consent of both teams. This decision was taken at the ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad.

The pink ball has so far been used only in day-night Test matches, but now it will also be used in regular Test matches as a trial to solve lighting problems.

Apart from this, the ICC has also made some other important decisions:

• In ODIs and T20 Internationals, the head coach or designated support staff has been allowed to come on the field during drinks breaks to consult with the players.
• In T20 Internationals, the break between innings has been reduced to 15 minutes.
• Guidelines for decisions on league side-wide balls have been made part of the permanent law.
• Umpires have also been given access to Hawkeye data to investigate suspicious bowling actions.

All these decisions have been made to make cricket better and smoother.