- Martin Guptill scored a brisk century in the tour game against Western Australia XI
- "When it's 6 pm and looking into the sun... That's probably the only stage when you might lose it a little bit" - Joel Paris
- Kane Williamson was rested for the fixture.
Martin Guptill, who scored an unbeaten century in New Zealand's day-night tour game, admitted that the visibility of the pink ball could be an issue while fielding in the upcoming day-night Test match against Australia in Adelaide.
Guptill top scored for his side with 103 off 109 balls, retiring just before the dinner break in their two-day tour game against Western Australia (WA) in Perth. While the 29-year-old faced very little difficulty playing the pink ball, depositing four hits into the stands, Guptill admitted fielding in fading light could get little tricky.
"It's good enough for me," Guptill said on Sunday (November 22) when asked about the visibility of the pink ball. "It's probably worse when you're fielding. The fact I ran away from one in Cannberra under lights (is a sign that) it can be quite difficult. But it can be difficult with a red ball as well.
"We've just got to get on with it. You've got to try and pick it up as well as you can and try and stop the ball, the Kiwi opener added.
Joel Paris, the WA pacer who grabbed 3 for 31, echoed Guptill's opinion. "When it's 5 pm or 6 pm and looking into the sun... That's probably the only stage when you might lose it a little bit," he said.
Prior to their practice game against WA at the WACA, New Zealand had played only one day-night 50-overs-a-side game with the pink ball, in a training camp in Canberra.
Guptill, who hit 94 off 108 balls in that one-dayer at the Manuka Oval, however, refused to accept the tag of being a pink ball specialist.
"I wouldn't say that," he said. "I didn't go too well when we were facing it in Hamilton, got hit on the pads about four or five times in the day. It was just nice to spend a bit of time in the middle... all the batters got a little bit out of today."
With the notable exception of Kane Williamson who was rested, all of New Zealand's batsmen used this fixture as the opportunity to spent some time in the middle.
"He did some work indoors with pink ball at night. We tried make it as close to realistic as possible. He's going well, Mike Hesson, New Zealand coach said when inquired about the side's No. 3 bat.
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written by ~ CHARITHARDHA
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