The pink ball is a compromise between the red ball used for traditional day-only Tests and the white one used for limited-overs matches, which would be hard to see against the white clothes worn by players and umpires.

The theory is that batsmen should be able to see the pink ball through daylight, dusk and under floodlights.

A new, pink complexion on Test cricket. Photo: Getty Images

The white ball works OK, so why is pink a big deal?

The demands on the pink ball, which has to last for at least 80 overs until a Test team is allowed to take a new one, are far greater than on a white ball. This is why the manufacturer, Kookaburra, has devoted so much development work to the fledgling ball. The current rules for one-dayers see one ball used from each end, meaning they are used for a maximum of 25 overs.

What does it mean for batsmen?

There are mixed views. Some believe full-pitched deliveries are harder to pick up, while some have lamented the inability to judge spin by focusing on position of the seam moves as the ball comes down to them, as they can with the red ball.

The key session is expected to be the final session; let's call it the twilight zone. It will begin at 7pm local time, with sunset due about 70 minutes into the session. The transition between fading natural light and the floodlights is reputed to be a particularly difficult period to bat.

And bowlers?

Some say the ball gets old quickly. That is, it swings early but quickly loses its shine and then goes dead straight. With the red ball, it's possible to buff up one side of the ball to encourage reverse swing with the older ball, but that doesn't seem as effective with the pink orb.

James Pattinson did some damage with the pink ball at shield level. Photo: Getty Images

What do the players think?

Again, there is no uniform position. But many feel the ball is not ready to be used in a Test, which has cherished traditions based on the deterioration of the red ball, which influences how it swings through the air and brings spinners into the match.

Kevin Pietersen's main opposition to day-night Tests is his belief it will distort batting averages, because it will be harder to bat at night. Nevertheless there are no plans to quarantine these performances from players' overall Test records.

A lingering gripe with the pink ball relates to the ability for outfielders and those square of the wicket to see it clearly. There were, however, no clear examples in the weekend's WA-NZ match where fielders clearly lost sight of the ball.

What about the fans? 

Spectators have complained it is difficult to see the pink ball as clearly as they can see the red ball when it is used. Given the paucity of people who attend Sheffield Shield matches there has not been a groundswell of opposition. The issue will be in sharp focus this week, with a near-capacity crowd expected at Adelaide Oval for the start of the Test and healthy crowds expected throughout. If there are still problems seeing the pink ball from the stands the messages of complaint to Cricket Australia will be felt far more than the trickle of negative feedback during the day-night shield matches.

On the plus side, a key beneficiary of day-night Tests, should they be replicated, would be television broadcasters, because it would give them more chance to show the match in prime time in local markets, as they can for limited-overs internationals. This in turn would flow through to more lucrative broadcast deals for cricket boards the next time the rights are up for renewal. It is also envisaged it could boost attendances, especially on weekdays outside school holidays when it is often difficult for many families to go to the cricket during the day. CA is trialling in this Test discounted tickets for those who simply want to watch the final session, under lights.