Thursday, June 29th, 2017

Hastings Gives Reaction To Pink Ball Experiment Under Lights

Hastings Gives Reaction To Pink Ball Experiment Under Lights

Worcestershire all-rounder John Hastings echoed the opinion of Durham's Mark Wood with regard to the pink ball after the Specsavers County Championship match between the two counties at Chester-le-Street was abandoned today.

No play was possible over the last two and a half days as Worcestershire claimed 12 points to cement second spot in the table.

Hastings said: “It was unfortunate we didn't get to see how the ball performed over 96 overs day in, day out.

“I've used a pink Kookaburra quite a bit back home in Australia, but I think the Dukes has a long way to go.

"It allowed the bowlers to dominate early on, but went soft around the 25-30 over mark.

“It's a different game playing day-night cricket because the ball reacts differently under lights.”

Former Durham player Hastings 3-10 in eight overs in his opening spell as the hosts were reduced to 18 for five on the first morning, when he had Ben Stokes caught behind for a duck.

He said: "“That one bounced a bit more and nipped away slightly. He's a good mate so it was nice to get him out!

“I don't think the pink ball did anything exceptional and I've seen the red one do more at Riverside.

"On a fresh pitch here it's hard as a batsman and you have to react to what the ball does off the pitch.”

Durham's second innings never got underway after they were dismissed for 197 and trailed by 170.