Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has defended the use of the "controversial pink ball in the face of players' criticism and is adamant it will prove a success during test cricket's first day-night match in Adelaide next month," according to Ian Ransom of REUTERS. A number of players, including Australia captain Steven Smith, have said that they have "had trouble seeing the ball during play, while others have expressed concern that it lacks the endurance to survive the requisite 80 overs in tests." Sutherland has been a "champion of the day-night test concept throughout years of development and testing." The pink ball replaces the traditional red ball, "which becomes too difficult for batsmen to see after dark." Sutherland said, "The players are going into a bit of the unknown and these guys are elite athletes who are always challenged in a highly competitive environment." Australian Cricketers' Association President Greg Dyer "also cast doubt on the viability of the day-night test," saying that he felt it "was not too late to reschedule it if the players were not on board." Sutherland said of Dyer, "Those comments were a bit late" (REUTERS, 10/30).
