Jaipur to host pink-ball match

A month after India's first pink-ball multi-day match, the Rajasthan Cricket Association is set to host the four-day final of its inter-district tournament under lights in Jaipur from July 12 to 15. Nagore and Bikaner will play for the Colvin Shield at the RCA Academy ground with a pink ball.

"It struck us that it would be interesting to try out the pink ball in the final," RCA secretary Sumendra Tiwary told ESPNcricinfo. "With talks of a pink-ball Test in India, we want to have tried it out as well. I am confident of a good response from the crowds. This is an inter-district tournament and this forms the basis for the selection of Ranji Trophy teams."

Tiwary said first-class cricketers like Rajesh Bishnoi Sr, Madhur Khatri and Gajendra Singh will turn out in the final, which will be played with an SR Supreme ball. "The problem with SG Test and Kookaburra balls is that white balls are dyed in pink, so after about 30 overs the white spots start showing," Tiwary said.

"In this game, players are playing in whites and white sightscreens and under lights, so the batsmen won't be able to sight it. So we are using SR Supreme balls with a black seam. SR Supreme is giving us pink balls, which, even after 30-odd overs, remains pink."

While Tiwary admitted that players haven't practised with the ball, he was confident they would get used to it. "A lot of selectors have felt it's a good decision," he said. "Players haven't practised with it yet, but they have an idea of the kind of balls. Tomorrow, we have a practice session with the pink balls. Play begins at 2.45 pm and ends at 9.15 pm. There are three drinks breaks and one tea break."