Black Caps quicks embrace the pink ball

New Zealand pace bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee are determined to “get a jump” on Australia ahead of their three-Test series this summer by embracing the pink ball that will be used in Test cricket for the first time in November.

The Black Caps will be part of the first ever day-night Test match at Adelaide Oval from November 27, the first to be played under lights and the first with a pink Kookaburra ball.

With a chance to win a trans-Tasman Test series for the first time since 1990 on offer, Southee said it was important the Black Caps took every opportunity available to practice with the pink ball.

“Now it’s confirmed we have to work out ways to train so we get a jump on the Aussies,” Southee told The New Zealand Herald.

“It’s tough because none of our grounds have lights in the nets but it’s a chance to be part of history. We need to seize the initiative.”

Image Id: ~/media/CAE124EC111F499B92DE0B22C693026D

Kookaburra has developed the pink-balls for day-night Test cricket // Getty Images

The Black Caps players will get a two-day open-wicket practice in Hamilton next month and a two-day match under lights in Perth ahead of the day-night Test, while the pink ball will also be used when they meet the Prime Minister’s XI in a one-day match at Manuka Oval on October 23.

New Zealand Cricket's head of cricket Lindsay Crocker said the key would be practising with the pink ball during twilight.

“The match in Hamilton will be designed so batsmen can play against the best bowlers during those times,” Crocker said.

“For instance, you wouldn’t want Kane [Williamson] getting out first ball and that being his only chance.

“We don’t have any suitable net facilities but I believe there are some in Queensland to practice under lights.

“However, we want to concentrate on the red ball until the end of the second Test so we’re not blurring things.”

While Boult had previously expressed concerns over the pink ball, the series of fixtures ahead of the Test is aimed at alleviating those concerns, and Boult said he was ready to embrace the unknown.

“We are going into the unknown as to how much it will swing and seam but, now it’s happening, I want to look forward to it,” Boult said.

“It could be a hit. The warm-up games are the most important part to get confidence.”

A number of Australia’s Test players have already had experience playing with the pink ball through Shield cricket, while those who have not will be given further opportunities ahead of the Adelaide Test, with another round of day-night Shield cricket to be held before the start of the Commonwealth Bank Test series.

An air of optimism has surrounded New Zealand since their World Cup final appearance in March and their drawn Test series in England in May, with former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond saying he believed the upcoming summer would present the Kiwis with their best chance to end their 25-year drought against Australia.

"For New Zealand there is no better time to take on Australia than November," Bond said last month.

"If the boys play to their potential and we can get everybody fit then we will certainly be competitive."