Pink Ball Under Lights

Pink balls used in day-night Tests have an extra polyurethane lacquer for visibility; they swing longer than red and spin less.

The cricket ball's cork-and-leather construction dates to the 1770s (Duke's of Kent); pink and white balls were introduced later for day-night and limited-overs cricket.

The cooler night air densifies, supporting swing for the seam bowler; the harder lacquer doesn't roughen as quickly, suppressing reverse.

Bat at the start, attack with seam in the twilight; spinners struggle in pink-ball day-nighters.