England are set to reject proposals to play future day-night Ashes Tests using a pink ball under lights, following a disappointing experience during the 2025-26 series in Australia. The move comes after discussions between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) regarding the format for the next Ashes tour, scheduled for 2029-30.
England’s Pink-Ball Experience in Brisbane
During the recent Ashes series, England suffered a heavy eight-wicket defeat in the day-night Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, leaving them 2-0 down in the series, which they eventually lost 4-1. The challenges faced by England batters under the pink ball highlighted the difficulties of adapting to floodlit conditions.
England captain Ben Stokes and senior players have suggested that while pink-ball Tests are viewer-friendly, the format may not suit the team’s preparation or the traditional nature of the Ashes. ECB officials reportedly conveyed their stance to Cricket Australia, emphasizing a preference for red-ball Tests in future Ashes contests.
Why Pink-Ball Tests Are Controversial
Day-night Test cricket, introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2015, was intended to make the format more accessible to television audiences. The pink ball is designed to be more visible under lights while maintaining similar swing and seam characteristics to the red ball.
Australia has embraced pink-ball Tests, hosting 14 of the 25 day-night matches worldwide and winning 14 of 15, making them a dominant force in this format. England, in contrast, has struggled, winning only two of their seven day-night Tests, including four defeats in Australia.
While the pink-ball concept has been appealing to broadcasters, including Seven and Fox in Australia, there is no contractual requirement for an annual day-night Test in the Ashes. The higher ratings for the Brisbane match compared to other venues like Perth and Adelaide have been noted, but the ECB remains cautious about future exposure to pink-ball challenges.
Player Opinions on Pink-Ball Ashes
England players have expressed mixed feelings about day-night Tests. Joe Root, ahead of the second Test in Brisbane, questioned the necessity of the pink ball in a traditional Ashes series:
“A series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be here either.”
Batters’ main challenge is visibility under floodlights, while bowlers like Australia’s Mitchell Starc exploit pace to dominate in pink-ball conditions. Despite similarities in swing and seam movement, England struggled to adapt to the faster, brighter environment at the Gabba.
Warm-Up Matches and Future Preparations
In addition to rejecting pink-ball Tests, England will be offered improved warm-up matches ahead of their next Ashes series. Sources indicate that England can select a first-class warm-up venue, aligned with the location of the opening Test, while Australia will also pick their own warm-up location before the 2027 Ashes in England.
England’s preparations for the 2025-26 Ashes drew heavy criticism, with coach Brendon McCullum admitting that the team “didn’t get it right.” The squad only played one warm-up match against an England Lions development side, at Lilac Hill, which did not replicate the conditions faced in Perth, Brisbane, or Adelaide. The ECB hopes that better preparation will reduce performance gaps in future tours.
Looking Ahead
While England have rejected day-night Ashes Tests for now, a one-off pink-ball Test at the MCG in 2027 will still go ahead to mark the 150th anniversary of the first Test match at Melbourne. This fixture is considered a historic event rather than a permanent addition to the series.
The ECB’s position underscores a commitment to traditional red-ball cricket for high-profile Ashes contests while maintaining flexibility to participate in special events under lights.
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