Pink ball should replace 'pathetic' red ball in Test cricket: Shane Warne

While donning the commentator’s hat on Day 1 of the first pink-ball Test between India and Australia on Thursday, December 17 at Adelaide Oval, Australia’s spin wizard Shane Warne suggested the permanent use of the pink ball in the purest format of the game instead of red ball. The pink ball is only used in the day-night Test but Warne feels that it is time that the traditional red ball should be replaced.

Backing the use of pink ball, Warne said that one of the prime benefits of the ball is its visibility to the crowd. The spinner believes that the pink ball looks more fascinating and fantastic on television as compared to the red ball. As the pink ball tends to get soft with time, the Australian veteran reckoned that it can be changed after every 60 overs but should be used in every Test game henceforth.

No more red ball, it doesn’t swing, it doesn’t do anything: Shane Warne

“I’ve been saying this for the last few years. I believe the pink ball should be used in all Test matches. Day games, not just day-night games. The pink ball, you can actually see the ball easier, crowd can see the ball easier. It generally does more than the red ball and it looks fantastic on TV.

“So why not use a pink ball the whole time? Maybe change it at 60 overs because it goes soft, but I’d be using the pink ball for every Test match so more of it I would say,” Warne said while commentating on ‘Fox Cricket’.

The former spin legend is of the view that the red ball is ‘pathetic’ as it doesn’t offer any seam or swing to the bowler. Thus there is no harm in trying the pink ball as nothing can be any worse that the traditional red cherry.

“No more red ball, it doesn’t swing, it doesn’t do anything, goes soft after 25 overs. It has been pathetic for so long now. Except for the Dukes ball in England, it has been rubbish. The pink ball can’t be any worse than what the red ball has been for Test cricket. We haven’t seen swing, we haven’t seen seam. Absolutely nothing. So let’s try the pink ball in Test cricket,” he added.