Packer ball ‘good’

Press, 13 April 1978, Page 6

Packer ball ‘good’

When Kerry Packer announced his plans to stage cricket at night under lights, using white balls and black sight screens, many cricket administrators scoffed at the idea. But crowds of up to 20,000 are watching the games and Rob Elliot, a representative of A. G. Thompson, the manufacturer of the white ball, said last evening that World Series Cricket had “really struck on something.” "I think it will appeal to the public who want to finish work and go down and watch cricket under light til! 10 at night,” said Mr Elliot, who is in New Zealand for a sales-oromotion campaign. When Packer approached the Melbourne-based firm to make him a ball that could be used in the evenings, a red ball was obviously out of the question. Thompson experimented with • several colours. eventually deciding on white. A yellow ball

■ was considered but the needs i of television, and other eon- , j siderations, ruled this out. Mr Elliot said it was very ; important to ensure that the new ball matched the traditional s j red one in every possible ua- . i It had to fee] right to the j bowlers, batsmen, and fielders jas well as last as long as its ! | coloured counterpart. I i A similar process was used to i manufacture the white balls. The ! j only difference uas that the : i leather was not tanned with any -idye. It was left in its natural [state and later coated uith a I white laquer of the same com l position as used on the red • I balls. Some people had feared that [the white ball would blend with ij the colour of the players’ cloth* I ing and the wood of the bats, 'possibly causing injuries, but I both umpires and players had encountered no difficulties.