The discussions regarding the day/night Test or Pink-Ball cricket started in the late 2000s. In fact, the first match where a pink ball was used was played between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. It was a first-class match.
However, when it comes to international cricket, then the first-ever floodlit Test was played between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in November 2015, where the hosts won the contest by three wickets.
In total there have been 14 occasions when a day-night Test has been played. Australia have experienced a maximum of seven Pink-Ball Tests. Like every format, the new concept has also seen some magnificent bowling performances. Bowlers belonging to different teams played their part and showcased the dominance from the pink ball.
Let’s have a look at five such bowlers who have taken maximum wickets in Pink-Ball cricket:
5.) Yasir Shah – 18 wickets
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah is undoubtedly one of the most skilful Pakistani spinners after the great Saeed Ajmal. The Swabi-born cricketer debuted against Australia in 2014, and since then he has been the pick of a bowler. The breathtaking ability of Yasir can be summed up with the fact that he is the fastest to claim 200 Test wickets in the history of Test cricket.
Even with the pink ball, Yasir has shown immense talent. The 34-year-old has so far appeared in 4 Pink-Ball Test matches and has taken 18 wickets. Overall, in the longest format, Yasir has earned 213 scalps in 39 games.
4.) Pat Cummins – 19 wickets
The genius pacer from Australia, Pat Cummins has been an impressive lad ever since he emerged in the longest format of the game. The right-arm speedster has given new energy to the Kangaroo squad. One could understand the impact of Cummins with the simple fact that in the past year, he had claimed 59 Test wickets which was the best by any bowler.
Overall, the Sydney-born paceman has taken 143 scalps in 30 Tests. When it comes to the pink-ball format, then Cummins sits right at the fourth spot with 19 wickets to his name in 4 matches.
3.) Josh Hazlewood – 26 wickets
Compared directly to the legendary Glenn McGrath, Aussie paceman Josh Hazlewood is an impressive bloke. The quick bowler made his Test debut against India at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in December 2014 where he took five wickets and left a strong impression.
Hazlewood was the member of the Aussie squad who witnessed the first-ever Pink-Ball Test. In fact, the New South Wales bowler had a terrific outing as he went on to take three wickets in the first innings and six in the second.
For the remarkable performance in the first day-night Test, Hazlewood was rewarded with the ‘Player of the Match’ award. In total, the 29-year-old has played six Pink-Ball Tests and has taken 26 wickets.
2.) Nathan Lyon – 28 wickets
Commonly known as G.O.A.T – Greatest of All Time – in Australian media, Nathan Lyon has been one of the most exceptional discoveries of Australian cricket. His tactic of constantly bowling in the middle-and-off region has taken him to several heights in Test cricket.
The off-spinner has so far appeared in 96 Tests for Australia and bagged 390 wickets. Just like Josh Hazlewood, Lyon was also one of the players who have played in the first-ever day-night Test. Overall, Lyon has played in all the seven Pink-Ball Tests that Australia have played and he has taken 28 wickets.
1.) Mitchell Starc – 42 wickets
A tall left-handed pacer with supreme accuracy and ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers, Australian speedster Mitchell Starc consists of every quality that a fast bowler wishes to have. Another New South Wales star in this list has so far played 57 Tests and has taken 244 wickets with 6/50 being his best.
Even with the pink ball, Starc is an undisputed leader and is way ahead from his competitors. The Sydney-born cricketer is undoubtedly a spinal column of Kangaroo bowling attack and no wonder he has reached excellency in Day-Night Test cricket. In 7 Pink-Ball Tests, Starc has grabbed the maximum 42 wickets.
