Trials with the new-finish balls at Kookaburra's laboratory and at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane have raised hopes that the white ball can also last 80 overs
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Successful tests with a revolutionary process may enable day-night Test cricket to be played as early as 2011 in Australia.
A new finish allows the white leather ball to keep its colour.
Rob Elliot, managing director of Kookaburra Sport, manufacturers of balls used in Test cricket in Australia said: "It's a new material we have been working with and the breakthrough we have been looking for years.
"The early trials show clear evidence that the ball is not scuffing or deteriorating as much, thanks to this new finish. Our laboratory staff are very excited.
"It can open a new vista for cricket as we know it with TV rights, sponsorship and new waves of support for cricket."
Elliot said trials were continuing.
"We would like some more time to present the best possible ball which does not compromise standards. Cricket administrators need to be patient. But we are definitely closer to what we want given the results of the last fortnight."
Experiments with orange coloured balls were conducted in Australia's Sheffield Shield 15 years ago but players were unconvinced by the experiment. Most said the ball "hooped around too much", especially in the early evening.
Kookaburra Sport and scientists from the CSIRO are among several partners in Australia and abroad, working with Cricket Australia to come up with a ball suitable for day-night cricket.
White balls have been found to scuff too easily but, according to Kookaburra, trials with the new-finish balls at its own laboratory and at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane have again raised hopes that the white ball, now being used in Twenty20 and 50-over matches, can also last 80 overs.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said for years officials around the world had been looking for an alternative ball that acted, behaved and wore down like a traditional red ball.
"It's early days with all the trialling, but there's no doubt we are looking to play into the evening so more people can see it. We want to have more options and more flexibility with our scheduling. It's all about growing the game," he said.
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