India and Australia are facing off in the second Test of their ongoing five-match series at the Adelaide Oval. This highly anticipated match is a day/night fixture, which adds to the excitement as the game is played with a pink ball instead of the usual red one.
The pink ball is known to provide more assistance to bowlers, particularly during the night session under floodlights. This makes it a significant challenge for batters to survive the onslaught, adding extra tension to their time at the crease. Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee recently discussed the unique behavior of the pink ball, describing it as a “Rosé.”
Lee, recalling his experiences of bowling with the white ball under lights, explained how humidity and cooler nighttime temperatures help the ball move more. “It is the pink ball test of what I like to call the Rosé. Not quite red, not quite white, right in the middle—rose. It definitely swings around a lot more, it shapes around. The pink ball test is under light, so generally, when you’re playing under lights, there’s more movement, and it’s cooler at night. Sometimes the humidity makes the ball shape more. I really enjoyed bowling with the white ball under lights, and I’m hearing the pink ball is even better. It would be a lot of fun for fast bowlers,” Lee said on his YouTube channel.
India’s Highest Run Scorer in Pink Ball Tests
Virat Kohli is the highest run scorer for India in pink ball Tests, having accumulated 277 runs in five matches at an average of 46.16, including one century and one fifty. Among bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin leads the way with 18 wickets in five matches at an average of 13.83, with best figures of 4/48.
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Australia’s Highest Run Scorer and Wicket Taker in Pink Ball Tests
For Australia, Marnus Labuschagne is the top run scorer in day/night Tests, amassing 894 runs in nine matches at an average of 63.85, with four centuries and three fifties. Mitchell Starc is the leading wicket taker, with 67 wickets from 13 matches at an average of 18.80, including three five-wicket hauls.
With two heavyweight sides set to clash, this pink ball Test is sure to be an exciting contest for cricket fans.