Cricket's bad light problem halts Durban Test after pink ball rule goes unused
· Sports · BBC Sport, Times of India, ESPNCricinfo
Play was halted across all three days of the first Test between South Africa and Australia in Durban due to bad light, wiping out over 60 scheduled overs. On day one, only 65.2 of 90 overs were bowled before play stopped at 15:23 local time after clouds built; day two ended 35 minutes early at 16:25; and day three concluded at 16:31. The International Cricket Council recently amended rules to permit the pink ball in day-night Tests, but it cannot replace the red ball when light fails — it only applies if both teams agree beforehand. No such agreement was reached before the Durban Test, leaving the red ball subject to the lightstoppage rule. Former South Africa bowler Shaun Pollock noted there is a stigma around the pink ball despite its visibility advantage in low light.
Why it matters
The result denies spectators a full day's play and risks delaying the series outcome, while highlighting the ICC's pink ball trial as potentially useful for future matches if teams agree to its use.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.