'There were bits of pink left, but it was more green than pink by the end'
'It stopped swinging after 10 overs and there was no reverse swing, because both sides got chunked up just as much'
Australia batsman Adam Voges has added his voice to a growing chorus of criticism of the pink ball set to be used in cricket's first day-night Test match against New Zealand.
Voges was unimpressed with the ball's performance in the 50-over day-night tour match in Canberra on Friday and was highly sceptical it could last the 80 overs required in a Test match.
"There wasn't much pink left on it by the end of the game," Voges told local media after New Zealand's 102-run win over the local Prime Minister's XI side.
"The one that got hit onto the roof (by New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill) and didn't come back was 28 overs old and it looked like it was 68 overs old to be fair.
"To be honest, it didn't hold up very well at all tonight. It looked as though the lacquer had come off and it was turning green basically.
"There were bits of pink left, but it was more green than pink by the end.
"I know that it stopped swinging, there was no reverse-swing or anything like that because both sides get chunked up equally, but the older it gets, I can't see it being any easier to see."
New Zealand's batsmen had little trouble seeing the ball during the day at Manuka Oval, scoring over 300 in their innings, and their bowlers found ample swing early to rattle through the hosts' top order.
But Voges said the ball quickly lost its venom.
"It stopped swinging after 10 overs and there was no reverse swing, because both sides got chunked up just as much," he said.
"Those first 10 overs were a real challenge but once the ball stopped swinging it was a lot easier and both balls got chewed up pretty quickly after that."
Voges's complaints followed criticism of the pink ball from Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood, who said it was hard to see for players fielding square of the wicket late in the day and might be a safety concern.
The 36-year-old stressed that it would be tough for batsmen to pick up the pink ball as the depth perception of the ball is quite different under lights.
Cricket Australia have insisted the ball is ready for the day-night Test match which starts in Adelaide from November 27.
