Day-night Test cricket has altered the way in which the longest format is approached. The pink ball, the lights, the fast-moving evenings, and the capricious conditions have created a new kind of Test match. While Australia has made this format its own, the rest of the cricket world has struggled to match the same level of comfort and success. Now, as the second Ashes Test gets underway in Brisbane, the focus again turns to how the pink ball will shape the match. While England have played only a couple of day-night Tests, Australia have hosted most of the pink ball games in world cricket. This gives Australia a huge advantage, but England come into this match with a strong pace attack and a chance to upset the home side if they handle the conditions better. Here is a look at why the pink ball matters, which players gain from it the most, who struggles, and why this Brisbane Test can swing either way. Australia's Strong Pink Ball Record Image Source: Getty Images It has now been a decade since that inaugural pink ball Test in Adelaide in 2015. Of the 24 pink ball Tests staged around the world, 13 have been staged in Australia. It has become a part of their cricket culture. The Adelaide Oval remains the home of the pink ball despite games being held at the Gabba and some other grounds. And Australia have turned this format into a major strength. They have won 12 out of the 13 pink ball Tests played at home. Some of those wins have been huge, with more than a 250-run margin, and even more than an innings. Their pace bowlers have enjoyed the extra movement, extra zip and the harder seam that the pink Kookaburra ball brings. During the same period, Australia played 38 regular red ball home Tests and won 24. The difference in numbers shows that Australia become even stronger when the lights come on. Their only defeat so far in the format came against the West Indies in January 2024, when the visitors bowled Australia out cheaply to create one of the biggest upsets in modern Test cricket. That defeat is a reminder that the pink ball can turn any game at any given moment. Also Read | Huge loss for Cricket Australia after Travis Head seals Perth Test in two days Why the Pink Ball Helps Fast Bowlers Image Source: Associated Press The pink ball Test is often said to be a pace bowler's dream. Ever since 2015, for instance, the average for bowlers in day-night Tests has been 25.41, nearly 17% better than their average in regular red ball Tests. It tells a completely different tale for fast bowlers alone. Their pink ball average reads 23.77, an upgrade of 17.67% on their red ball numbers. So, yes, pace bowlers around the world receive assistance in day-night conditions, but Australia's pacers have simply taken it to another level. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have been at the heart of this success. The trio alone have accounted for 164 wickets in pink ball matches. Starc is the world leader with his haul of 81 wickets, a whopping 38 ahead of his nearest rival in pink ball Tests. His average drops from 28.97 with the red ball to 17.08 with the pink ball, showing just how dangerous he is under lights. Josh Hazlewood's average falls from 25.11 to 18.50. Pat Cummins' average falls from 22.86 to 17.34. These numbers explain why Australia are so confident every time a pink ball Test is held. Scott Boland, too, has impressed. He has picked up 18 wickets at an average of 13.16, one of the best in the world. Starc and Boland will lead the attack in this Test in the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood, with either Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser likely to partner them. This also means the conditions for playing the ball become rather tricky as the course of a day-night game wears on. The light, the shine, the cracking surface, and the conditions at dusk are all added concerns for batters. The Role of Spinners in Pink Ball Tests Spin bowling becomes a rarity in pink ball cricket. While in conventional Tests, the spinners manage to bowl a little over 139 overs per match, with the pink ball, this number comes down to approximately 76 overs. This indicates how the format is a fast bowler's game. But that does not make the spinners redundant. They still get wickets at a better average than in regular Tests. Nathan Lyon's record is good, too: his pink-ball average is 25.62 compared to his red-ball average of 30.53. Australia did, however, leave him out of their most recent pink ball match, and they might once again load up on seamers in Brisbane. Further batting depth could come in the form of Josh Inglis, Michael Neser or Beau Webster. Australia's Pink Ball Batting Performance Image Source: Getty Images The pink ball also makes a difference in batting. Almost every Australian batter has seen a drop in performance. Steve Smith's average with the pink ball is 37.04, which is over 20 runs lower than his usual average. Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, and Alex Carey have been struggling in this format. But amidst all this, Marnus Labuschagne stands out. His average in day-night Tests reads 63.86, way higher than his regular Test match average of 43.13, with 4 hundreds in this format. He is touted as the best Australian batter under lights because of his patient style of batting, leaving the ball, and focusing on building an innings. His strike-rate remains pretty much the same, which indicates that he does not alter his game. It might enable him to play the moving ball better than many others. Also Read | Watch: Mitchell Starc Castles Ben Stokes with a Beauty in Ashes 2025-26 Opener England's Challenge in Brisbane The biggest problem England are coming into this match with is their lack of experience with the pink ball. Only Joe Root (7 Tests), Ben Stokes (6 Tests), Ollie Pope (4 Tests), and Zak Crawley (3 Tests), have played more than one pink ball Test. Many experts were surprised when England didn't send any of their key players to the Prime Minister's XI warm-up game. England come into this game with the following playing XI: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer. This really opens up an opportunity for England to get back into the game. The pace of Jofra Archer, the sharp bounce of Atkinson, the control of Carse, and the leadership of Stokes will test the Australian batters, particularly under lights. England's blueprint needs to come from West Indies' win here at the Gabba in 2024: bowling with discipline and using the pink ball smartly. England must do the same. The harder part will be England's batting. Their collapse in Perth showed that they can lose quick wickets if they do not adjust. The pink ball moves more in the evening, swings longer and can become unpredictable once the lacquer cracks. England must read the conditions, leave more balls and avoid risky shots. If they can survive the tough evening periods, they can put Australia under pressure. A Balanced Battle Ahead Australia have experience on their side, conditions that are familiar and a strong history with the pink ball. England have the pace to really test the Australian batting order. Australia's top order have previously struggled with the pink ball, and their attack is without the services of Cummins and Hazlewood. The match could be decided by how well England's batters survive the night session and how well they understand when to defend and when to attack. Australia will look to Starc and Boland to do the damage early and push England into mistakes. This Test might show again why the pink ball cricket is such an important part of today's cricket: the drama, the movement, the sharp spells, and the quick swings in momentum. If England play smart cricket and bowl with control, they have a real chance to break Australia's strong record at home.