South Africa's Dale Steyn concerned about the durability of the pink ball
Fans of pink ball cricket should avert their ears as South African fast bowler Dale Steyn dealt another blow to cricket's latest innovation. Fit-again leader of the Proteas pace attack is concerned that the pink ball might not last all five days of a Test and will need some help from the groundsmen to ensure its shape remains intact.
With over 400 Test scalps to his name, Steyn knows a thing or two about bowling with different balls and he believes that the Day-Night Test between Australia and South Africa at the Adelaide Oval will need help from the groundsmen to ensure the Kookaburra ball is in shape and lasts the duration of the game.
"[It might] well go four days maximum. The wicket will be a little greener because if it's on the drier side, you will struggle to see the ball. So it has to be a bit greener, and will do a bit more," Steyn told Sport24.
Although the first Day-Night Test between Australia and New Zealand was over inside three days, there was plenty of grass left on the wicket, which helped the ball move around considerably. Still, there was plenty of times when the ball had to be changed as it had gone the distance.
The 33-year-old might have concerns about the longevity of the pink ball but he is up for the challenge of bowling with it.
"I haven't bowled with a pink ball yet, but we have some two-day warm-up games with it," he said. "Look, it doesn't matter to me what you place in my hand ... put a tennis ball there at garden cricket and I will still be looking to beat the guy at the other end! Pink, red, white ... whatever, let's just get on with it."
He also added that the scheduling of the Proteas tour of Australia helps him focus completely on Tests.
"It's quite nice to know that this will be a tour where I will only have to pack my Test boots ... line and length, patience," he added. "If you go there for a longer tour, you've still got in the back of your mind 'aargh, white-ball cricket yet to come; I've got to change things then, up my skills set'. However, this is just about being patient and mentally strong for long periods of time. It's great not to have to worry about the other formats.”
The Proteas are scheduled to play two Day-Night warm-up games against Cricket Australia XI at the Adelaide Oval and Victoria XI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before the Day-Night Test against Australia in Adelaide, which starts on November 24.