Test hopes and pink-ball doubts will be put under the microscope in the day-night Sheffield Shield round that starts on Wednesday.
It’s a month until the inaugural day-night Test at Adelaide Oval, a potential series decider between Australia and New Zealand.
Fresh concerns about the pink ball were raised after it deteriorated rapidly during last Friday’s tour match in Canberra.
It means this week’s clash between South Australia and NSW in Adelaide will carry added importance as a dress rehearsal for the third Test.
“We’re not at that stage right now,” Australian Cricketers’ Association boss Alistair Nicholson told SEN radio, when asked about the prospect of the third Test reverting to a traditional timeslot.
“The surface in Manuka was very flat and abrasive.
“The game at Adelaide Oval will be a really good test. The feedback post-that will be really important as to which way we go.”
Adam Voges remarked that the controversial ball was “more green than pink by the end” of the Prime Minister’s XI match.
Plenty of Voges’ teammates have similar reservations, however David Warner isn’t among them.
National vice-captain Warner, who returns for NSW this week after seven weeks on the sidelines with a broken thumb, felt the issue had been overplayed.
“It is irrelevant about what ball you use,” Warner said.
Victoria’s colour-blind captain Matthew Wade couldn’t quite see eye to eye with Warner.
“I have to work pretty hard to try and get sight of it,” Wade said on the eve of the MCG match between the Bushrangers and Queensland.
“I don’t pick it up as clear as a red ball. It’s a little bit blurry, which is never ideal.
“But you work through those things.”
However, Wade felt the pink ball was no more dangerous than the red and he was determined to make it work.
“I can see it – it’s just not as clear,” Wade said.
“It doesn’t worry me too much.
“You’ve just got to take it out of your mind, to be honest … you’ve got to get used to it.”
Western Australia coach Justin Langer agreed, asking his players to adapt as they prepared to face Tasmania in Hobart.
“The pink ball is just another adaption,” Langer said, likening it to one-day and Twenty20 cricket.
“If it’s going to be good for the overall scheme of things and cricket, we’re positive about it.”
Test players will have a chance to provide feedback after the Shield matches, however their focus will quickly shift to the trans-Tasman tussle that starts on November 5 at the Gabba.
Cricket Australia on Friday will name its squad for the first Test, meaning those on the cusp of the squad have two days to induce doubt in the minds of selectors.
Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle are expected to be included in a squad of 12 or 13.
Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh are in the mix to grab two spots in the batting order that were vacated by the retirements of Chris Rogers and Michael Clarke.
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