Entertainment

Fans were struggling to see the new pink ball on TV in England’s first day-night Test

The ball appeared to be rather less visible from one end than the other.
The ball appeared to be rather less visible from one end than the other. The ball appeared to be rather less visible from one end than the other.

England’s first day-night Test match got off to a rocky start for both viewers and batsmen, as England lost two early wickets and viewers complained they couldn’t see the ball on television.

The game, the first of its kind in England, included the novelty of a pink ball, something former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested would favour the bowler.

And when the game eventually got going at 2pm (rather than the usual 11am) the ball did appear to be rather more useful for those with ball in hand.

First, debutant Mark Stoneman was bowled, before number three batsman Tom Westley fell LBW.

Equally concerning for England fans watching at home was that many were having problems seeing the ball on their TV screens.

The ball appeared to be rather less visible from one end than the other, leading fans to complain on Twitter.

A problem? Well, not for those who don’t have access to the game.

Alastair Cook and captain Joe Root steadied the ship shortly after, but is the pink ball going to prove a nuisance in the longer term?