Marnus Labuschagne backs Australia’s pink ball experience to tell in second Ashes Test

• Batter relishing prospect of this week’s day-nighter at the Gabba

• England have not used the pink ball in nearly three years

Marnus Labuschagne has admitted that Australia’s experience of playing day-night Tests will see them start the second game of the Ashes on Thursday with an in-built advantage, while England are using a pink ball for the first time in nearly three years.

As well as hosting more day-night Tests than the rest of the world put together, Australia has also scheduled several Sheffield Shield games under lights and with a pink ball, first between 2013 and 2018 and again in each of the last two seasons. Cricket Australia’s head of national teams, Ben Oliver, explained when they were reintroduced that they are designed “to enhance the experience for domestic players and best prepare them for the challenges of international cricket”. Continue reading...