The Proteas played in a two-day warm-up match recently where they used the pink ball as preparation for the third Test against Australia, which will also be South Africa’s first-ever day-night Test.

During South Africa’s first innings De Kock smashed 122 runs and he feels that the ball made no difference.

The young star batsman said one mustn’t overthink it and just play each ball on its merit.

The Proteas seamer, Kyle Abbott, feels that there is a slight difference and it will affect the batsman, but agreed that a player just needs to adapt.

“It seems to nip around a bit when the lights come on, not so much during the day.

“There is a bit of grass on the wicket so there has been a little bit of assistance throughout the match if you hit the deck hard and get in the right areas.

“There wasn’t a huge amount of swing, just some nip off the surface.

“I don’t think it’s up to us to adjust, it’s more the batsmen.

“Coming from a red or white ball, they are quite used to that. This is a new colour for them. A ball is a ball to us, if it swings or doesn’t, it’s still the same thing.

“For us to adjust is not that difficult but I think for the batsmen under the lights will take some getting used to.”

Australia and the Proteas will face each other as from 3 November in the first Test which will be played at the WACA in Perth.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport