ICC World Test Championship final: Pink Ball to eliminate bad light woes?

The ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand is underway in Southampton after two washed out days. Even on days two and three, there were delays due to bad light and a wet outfield. It is already bad enough that a marquee ICC final has been destroyed by rain. The addition of bad light and wet outfield has only compounded the matter even further.

Wet outfield and rain is something that is not in one’s control. There is massive criticism for holding the ICC final in England. The criticism is valid to a certain extent. The 2013 ICC Champions Trophy final was one hour away from being called off. Yet, in 1975, 1979, 1983, 1999 and 2019, there were no interruptions due to rain. Thus, England is a great viewing place for ICC events, no two ways about it.

The weather’s fickleness in the United Kingdom makes it frustrating. No one denies that. But, at the end of the day, it is a sheer case of bad luck that rain had to ruin the final when 14-20 days prior to the match, Southampton was reeling under a heat wave.

Working around the bad light conundrum in ICC major events

Playing cricket in an indoor stadium, which has been a suggestion in the wake of rain in the United Kingdom, is an impractical solution. England could do the Sri Lanka way and cover the entire outfield in the case of persistent rain. That might reduce the waiting time to make the outfield ready for the match. This point was already raised when India and New Zealand’s 2019 ICC World Cup match in Trent Bridge was abandoned.

But, umpires work upon guidelines set upon by higher authorities. The guidelines given an umpire an instinct to base their judgment on. This is severely tested in the case of bad light. In the ICC World Test Championship, it was bad enough that the rain had spoilt the contest. What incensed the fans was the bad light that impacted play on day two and three towards the end.

Making Test cricket innovative

For years, the officials have been grappling with the bad light scenario. Thus, in the current era, would it not make sense to play using the Pink Ball during the bad light situation? In 1992, the introduction of two new balls from both ends in the World Cup was a good innovation for ODIs. In Tests, can the ICC consider using the Pink Ball in case bad light comes into the equation? It would make perfect sense from a broadcaster and player sense. Batsmen are protected head to toe to combat the conditions in any situation. The Pink Ball has been approved after rigorous testing for years. It would give Test cricket a different dimension. Imagine playing with the red ball and switching to the Pink Ball when the light deteriorates. It adds a different dimension to batting, bowling and to the Test match situation.

Playing with two different colour balls is a unique way to counter the bad light situation. What might be a dull situation might suddenly transform into something special with this innovation.

ICC needs plenty to ponder for next Test Championship

The ICC have realised the flaws in the first cycle, some which have happened out of their hands. The coronavirus pandemic forced the yardstick to be shifted towards the middle of the cycle. It does make sense to make venue a key priority for the final.

The ICC cannot afford another rain-interrupted final. For two years, teams have slogged and battled hard to be in the top two of the points table. India and New Zealand have been the best teams in the cycle and that is why they are there in the ICC World Test Championship final.

For all the toil and skill, to have a final totally ruined by rain is a sad way. There is a reserve day that might be activated after the end of the fifth day. But, the ICC needs better foresight to ensure a final like this is not repeated. It must be noted, there will be all attempts for a win by both sides if the teams go into the reserve day. But, if one has to avoid the bad light wastages, playing with the Pink Ball makes a whole lot of sense.