Bennett cites caution in use of pink ball
JAMAICAN coach Junior Bennett has welcomed the re-introduction of pinks balls by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in a bid to enhance interest in the regional four-day competition, but cautioned that close supervision is necessary.
He said the change may help with the attendance at the grounds, but is wary that the pink balls tend to strip easily and drastically change colour as they get older.
“I have no problem with the idea. I think it will help because in the nights people generally leave work and are likely to have more time. Nothing is wrong with trying something different if it can help the sport.
“When the pink ball is new it is okay, but when that pink ball starts to strip then it starts to look almost white. Umpires would perhaps have to pay close attention to the condition of the ball,” Bennett told the Observer in a interview a few weeks ago.
The tactician, who guided Jamaica to three straight four-day titles between 2008 and 2010, added that the organisers should ensure that the appropriate sight screens are used.
“Persons sometimes have trouble picking up the ball in the late evening. When we are using the pink balls the sight screens should be changed to a darker colour to allow for better viewing,” he said.
The WICB announced last November that this season will see the playing of day/night matches and the use of pink balls in select matches during the first-class tournament.
Red balls and white sight screens are customarily used in four-day cricket. However, the pink ball concept was tried two seasons ago with moderate success as the WICB sought to address the dwindling interest in the regional first-class format in recent years.
The first round of the tournament starts on February 3, with one scheduled day/night encounter between the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC)and Trinidad & Tobago at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados.
Reigning champions Jamaica will also open their account on that day against the Windward Islands at Sabina Park.
The Tamar Lambert-led Jamaicans are scheduled for their first day/night match of the season from February 24-27 against hosts Guyana at the National Stadium in Providence.
