Arabic version: سوء الإضاءة يختصر اختبار ديربان رغم تعديل قواعد المجلس الدولي للكريكيت

According to BBC News, bad light has disrupted the first Test between South Africa and Australia in Durban, removing more than 60 overs from the opening three days despite a recent International Cricket Council rule change intended to offer an alternative.

Australia remain in command of the match, leading by 139 runs. Play has ended early on each of the first three days at Kingsmead, where the Test is starting at 09:30 local time because it is the venue’s first October Test. On day one, clouds caused play to stop at 15:23 after 65.2 of the scheduled 90 overs. Days two and three ended at 16:25 and 16:31 respectively.

BBC weather presenter Chris Fawkes said a sea breeze raises humidity in Durban during the day, bringing cloud inland. As temperatures fall later, relative humidity increases and the cloud becomes thicker and lower. Test cricket is suspended when umpires judge the light to be “dangerous or unreasonable” for players.

The ICC recently amended its playing conditions to permit a pink ball in Tests if teams agree before the match to use it throughout. The rule does not allow a red ball to be replaced by a pink ball once poor light arrives. South Africa and Australia did not hold discussions to use the pink ball before this Test.

Former South Africa bowler Shaun Pollock, who served on the ICC committee that recommended the change, said the pink ball carries a “stigma” because of perceptions about its movement and durability. Former Proteas bowler Vernon Philander favoured allowing officials to introduce a pink ball when light fades, while recognising questions over fairness and the Test’s integrity.