Dyer, the most senior official in the players' union, said day-night Test cricket was too important an initiative for the game to fail. Adam Voges isn't a fan of the pink ball used in the Prime Minister's XI clash. Credit:Getty Images With only a month before the Test, a late change would present a logistical dilemma for CA and TV broadcasters, but Dyer said it was never too late if they thought it would be unsuccessful. "We called off a tour of Bangladesh at the very last minute, didn't we?" he said. "And I would have thought it's better to make that call if you think that's the case. "I'm not saying we're at that point but if the players are expressing concern around it all I think we need to be very careful. We need to listen to the players and be absolutely confident that this thing is going to work. If it's not, we play that game as a normal day fixture.

"I'm sure there's lots of television scheduling and all sorts of issues around that but that's only if we're 100 per cent confident we'll be successful." Dyer said next weekend's round of day-night shield matches was crucial. "The feedback out of that is going to be decisive. There's a lot of players who are keen to see it [day-night Tests] happen, I must say. This is not something we're getting a uniform discussion on. There are players who have different attitudes and views; coming to a consensus will not be a simple matter. A lot of the guys have said, quite rightly, what a good initiative, it's going to be a good thing for Test cricket. I absolutely agree but we need to be real confident we're not going to have someone cleaned up in the gully because they couldn't pick it up." The manufacturer of cricket's pink ball has defended the new look, saying the pitch – rather than the ball – was to blame for the troubles batsman had in Canberra. Kookaburra group general manager Brett Elliot said the pink ball would deteriorate in a similar fashion to the traditional red variety. "The ball naturally scuffs and deteriorates over the course of 80 overs like all balls. This is an essential characteristic of the cricket ball in order to ensure a balance between bat and ball. It also ensures skills like spin bowling are brought into the game," he said.

"The red ball scuffs and picks up the green from outfields and pitch; it's just that the contrast is more obvious on a coloured ball. The ball pictured looked well worn, the seams had all but worn away, which also suggests an abrasive pitch. The abrasiveness of pitch will have an impact on the ball as it's always done." Cricket insiders insist Manuka Oval has the most abrasive pitch in the country, and has had a similar impact on the white ball. CA will keep a close eye on the opening round of shield matches and feedback from players, but has taken great confidence from the trials last season using the pink ball. However, it took $1 million in prizemoney for players from Australia and New Zealand to agree to the day-night Test, with fears the pink ball would make life difficult when batting and bowling, and also in the field, particularly during dusk when it can be challenging to quickly pick up on its direction. CA has a lot riding on the day-night concept. Chief executive James Sutherland has long been a driving force. It's hoped the clash will lift attendance and the television-viewing audience, with the final session staged during prime time. It's also hoped this will encourage nations where Test cricket is struggling for public support to experiment with the concept.