Persistent bad light has wiped out more than 60 overs across the first three days of the opening Test between South Africa and Australia in Durban, despite recent rule changes by the International Cricket Council aimed at tackling early stoppages.
Following a trial earlier this year, the ICC amended its playing conditions to allow teams to agree before a Test begins to use a pink ball throughout the match if poor light is anticipated. The regulation does not permit switching from a red ball to a pink ball mid-match. However, no discussions regarding using the pink ball were held between the two sides ahead of the fixture at Kingsmead.
Play in the first October Test staged at Kingsmead has started at 09:30 local time, with sunset falling shortly after 18:00. On day one, action was suspended at 15:23 with only 65.2 of the scheduled 90 overs bowled. Further early finishes followed, with day two ending at 16:25 and day three concluding at 16:31.
Afternoon cloud cover has routinely interrupted play after bright morning sessions. Weather presenter Chris Fawkes explained that morning heating inland triggers sea breezes into Durban, increasing humidity levels before falling evening temperatures saturate the air and create thicker, lower cloud.
Former South Africa fast bowler Shaun Pollock, who sat on the ICC committee that recommended the rule change, argued that hesitation around the pink ball stems from preconceived notions about its behaviour. Australia slipped to 124-6 on day one before recovering to reach 390 in their first innings.
"The pink ball would have meant we played 45 more overs of Test cricket and that is why I am keen to introduce it, and not just for day-night games," Pollock said.
Former South Africa seamer Vernon Philander suggested that officials, rather than teams, should take control of the decision during play. "They have to take it out of the hands of the players completed and enforce it from the umpires' point of view that the pink ball will become in play when the light has faded enough," Philander said.
Australia have featured in 15 day-night Tests, ten more than any other nation, with left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc claiming 89 wickets across those fixtures.
