Abu Dhabi: With both the openers of English county champions Durham scoring centuries, the test of the pink ball and white clothing under lights seemed to have passed the initial test though the colour of the seam needs to be fixed.
Openers Michael Di Venuto scored 131 while Kyle Coetzer remained unbeaten on 123 as Durham scored 329 for 3 against MCC in the season opener played here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Speaking to Gulf News after close of play on the first day on Monday night, Di Venuto said, "The big thing is the ball, if you can fix the seam on the ball. Sometimes you can’t just pick up the threads in the ball, against the spinners."
"Especially against some of the world's best spinners who can spin it both ways. So if you really can't see the seam they are going to have a field day with that ball," said the former Australian international from Tasmania.
"So it is this the seam. For the moment I think it is a bit green. If it is black it could solve that problem," was the veteran's suggestion as the pink ball is being tested in a four-day game for the first time while the white clothes and pads are also taking their test under lights with a white pitch-screen.
"Otherwise it has been fine. As far as the batsmen were concerned there were no major problems. The twilight period can be a bit difficult. But that is so with the white ball also, that is part and parcel of playing a day-night game," said Di Venuto.
