AUSSIE rock icons AC/DC could hold the key to the much-maligned pink ball being hailed a success when the historic day-night Test launches at Adelaide Oval next month.

Fresh doubts among Aussie players over whether the pink rock is up to Test standards arose when it was trialled in Canberra last weekend, with the abrasive Manuka centre square beating the ball up to the point it almost looked green after the end of 90 overs.

However, Cricket Australia is adamant the same wear and tear won’t occur in Adelaide and they have an Acadaca concert six days out from the start of the Test to thank for that.

The AC/DC gig means the Test strip will be prepared out the back in the nursery and won’t be dropped in until just before the start of the match, ensuring that the centre square remains almost as green and lush as it’s in AFL season.

Usually the Adelaide Oval square would feature eight wickets, but thanks to the Highway to Hell rockers, there will only be three wickets out in the middle when the world tunes in to see whether the pink ball passes its biggest test.

Cricket Australia’s senior manager of cricket operations Sean Cary, who has overseen the entire day-night Test project, says the green surrounds should ensure maximum protection for the longevity of the pink ball.

media_camera The pink ball has taken a battering both on and off the field.

AFTER DARK: how does pink ball actually perform?

“Out in the middle he’s only going to have the Test match wicket and then two wicket trays on either side of that and the rest is going to be green with the same grass that’s out there for an AFL match,” Cary told News Corp Australia.

“You’ll have some really good green surrounds that will have very little wear and tear on the ball … it gives the ball as much protection as it needs.

“It may be that over time the manufacturing of the ball evolves so that you don’t need to create that protection but at the moment it just provides that additional insurance.”

Several Australian players have voiced their opposition to the day-night venture, however the interests of the fan is what’s being prioritised by CA.

The purpose of the pink ball concept is to play cricket at a time when the majority of fans can attend and watch on television, and early indications are ticket sales for Adelaide are going through the roof.

Cary says the concerns of players are important, but at the end of the day the chance to grow the game for future generations is No.1.

“It’s maybe slightly weighed towards the fan but the players’ feedback is really important because we want them to be enjoying playing the game and comfortable because if they’re not putting on a good spectacle than it’s not going to be good for Test cricket anyway,” he said.

“We want to see how the fans react as much as the players and try and put on a product that’s appealing to them.”

NSW and South Australian bowlers certainly found the going easier once the lights came on in their Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval, however Cary says it’s difficult to gauge how much that was due to the pink ball and the conditions.

CA are hopeful the contest between bat and ball is as fair as possible even when night sets in, however that remains the great unknown.

Originally published as How AC/DC could shape pink-ball Test