India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has offered positive feedback on the pink ball in Indian conditions, after it was used on an experimental basis during a domestic game at Eden Gardens.
In April, India’s cricket board decided that one game of an upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand would be a day-night affair, pending trials of the pink ball.
Shami, 26, who picked up five wickets playing for Mohun Bagan in the day-night final, said South Asian conditions favoured swing with the pink ball, which was an exciting prospect.
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“With red or white balls, there was some visibility problem as it took [on] the colour of grass,” he was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.
“Definitely I will prefer this [pink] ball, this is much better. The biggest plus point is [the swing] under lights, what else does a bowler want? It’s challenging for both batsmen and bowlers.
“If we can maintain the dryness, I’m sure it will reverse. It did [reverse], I noticed.”
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha echoed Shami’s sentiments but said pace would prove challenging for batsmen.
“Every ball is swinging a bit either way, which was never the case with the red [ball]. The visibility is perfect,” Saha told PTI. “But batsmen will have problem if a pacer consistently bowls at 140 km per hour.”
Eranga banned over illegal bowling action
Sri Lanka paceman Shaminda Eranga has been banned from bowling in international matches due to an illegal action, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Sunday, just hours after he was taken to hospital to undergo tests on his heart.
Eranga, 29, reported feeling discomfort while batting during Sri Lanka’s ODI win over Ireland on Saturday.
“He was okay and stable and we’re awaiting the results,” a Sri Lanka Cricket spokesman told British media.
Eranga’s action was reported during the second Test against England at Chester-le-Street last month and his action was found to be illegal after an independent assessment, the ICC said in a statement.
“The assessment revealed that all deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations. As such, the fast bowler has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect,” the statement added.
Sri Lanka play England in the first game of a five-match ODI series in Nottingham on Tuesday.
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