Changes to pink ball changed SA minds on day-night Test – du Plessis

Seven months ago, South Africa were “not keen” to play a day-night Test match, primarily because they had never done it before. Five months ago, they agreed to the fixture, after being assured of adequate preparation time. Now, on the eve of a match which has been dominated by discussion over their stand-in captain Faf du Plessis’ ball tampering offence, they are – in coach Russell Domingo’s words – “very excited” about featuring in only the third fixture of its kind. What changed?

“When they said they changed the seam, made it black and it would have better visibility, things started changing,” du Plessis said. “We just wanted to be part of something and not miss out and see what’s its all about.”

Cricket South Africa made it clear that keenness and not cash changed the players minds, and confirmed that Cricket Australia did not offer any financial incentive for their participation in this match. Instead, the hosts promised South Africa two warm-up matches, one pre-series, one mid-series under lights, and agreed to use the pink ball for a winter series between South Africa A and Australia A. Six of the current Test squad members were part of that series.

South Africa A lost both unofficial Tests but gained reassuring experience. At the time, Vernon Philander still had some doubt about the ball’s softness but his report was better than last year’s, when even Australian players believed the ball needed improvement.

It was those concerns that initially dissuaded South Africa. In chats before the World T20, when Australia visited South Africa for three T20s, and at the IPL, South African players “spoke to the Australian players and read the comments around the pink ball”. …

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