ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a landmark trial that could see the traditional red ball replaced with a pink ball during Test matches when poor light threatens to halt play, according to the digital sports media website ESPN.

The website said that the decision was taken during the ICC Board meeting over the weekend and is aimed at reducing interruptions caused by fading light conditions.

The red balls usually used in Tests are not easily visible in fading light, while the white balls used in limited-overs matches are not durable enough for the longer format, said an ESPN report.

Pink balls are already used in day-night Tests played under lights.

According to AFP, the ICC said in a statement that its executive board had approved of "trialing the use of a pink ball in Test matches, with prior agreement from both teams, to maximize play in case of anticipated bad light".

The global cricketing body said it had also approved new "research on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light".

"Our discussions... have reinforced the ICC's commitment to governance, administration and the growth of cricket globally," said council chief Jay Shah, following a meeting in India's Ahmedabad.

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ICC approves pink ball trial in test cricket to reduce bad-light interruptions