Pink balls will be used to limit play lost to bad light in Test matches in a trial introduced by the International Cricket Council.

The pink ball has been used in day-night Test matches since 2015, but has not before been interchangeable with the traditional red ball.The ICC announced the introduction of the trial on Monday and is still working through a timeline for its introduction.

It will not come in time to be used during the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, beginning on Thursday.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is working with the ICC to understand how the trial would work.Both teams involved in a Test have to give prior agreement that a pink ball can be used in instances of bad light.Halting play in Test cricket for poor light has become an increasing frustration for players, supporters and broadcasters in an age when most venues have floodlights.