The International Cricket Council (ICC) said this week that it will trial pink cricket balls in traditional Test matches to prevent play from being interrupted by fading light.
The strategic shift addresses a persistent issue in the sport's longest format. While red balls become virtually invisible under murky skies, white limited-overs balls degrade too quickly to survive the rigorous demands of a five-day match.
Pink balls, which are currently reserved exclusively for day-night Test matches under stadium floodlights, offer a durable and highly visible alternative.
According to an official statement, the ICC Executive Board has approved "trialling the use of a pink ball in Test matches, with prior agreement from both teams, to maximise play in case of anticipated bad light."
The governing body has also sanctioned fresh research into advanced stadium lighting technology to help match officials and host venues further reduce the amount of time lost to poor visibility.
"Our discussions... have reinforced the ICC's commitment to governance, administration and the growth of cricket globally," said ICC Chief Jay Shah following the board's high-level meeting in India.