Twenty20 trial for pink ball

A pink ball will be used for the first time in a match between two counties when Essex Eagles face Hampshire Hawks this evening in the Twenty20 Floodlit Challenge at the Rose Bowl.

Former Kent spinner Min Patel uses a pink ball for MCC against Scotland during a trial game at Lord's in April

Pinks balls are being tested as an alternative in one-day cricket to white ones which can become discoloured and are difficult for fielders and batsmen to see in certain light conditions.

They were first used in England during a match between an MCC XI and Scotland at Lord’s in April, while the first trial took place in Brisbane in a women’s match between Queensland and Western Australia in January.

Essex first-team coach Paul Grayson said: “We are all open to change and variation in the game – using pink balls is certainly worth looking at for one-day cricket. We’ll know a bit more about the viability of them after tonight once we’ve got a bit of feedback from the players.”

The sides will again use pink balls in the second leg of the Twenty20 Floodlit Challenge at the Ford County Ground on Friday evening when England opening batsman Alastair Cook will be available for Essex.