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Voges wades into 'pink ball' debate

Melbourne - Australia batsman Adam Voges has added his voice to a growing chorus of criticism of the pink ball set to be used in cricket's first day-night test match against New Zealand.

Voges was unimpressed with the ball's performance in the 50-over day-night tour match in Canberra on Friday and was highly skeptical it could last the 80 overs required in a test match.

"There wasn't much pink left on it by the end of the game," Voges told local media after New Zealand's 102-run win over the local Prime Minister's XI side.

"The one that got hit onto the roof (by New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill) and didn't come back was 28 overs old and it looked like it was 68 overs old to be fair.

"To be honest, it didn't hold up very well at all tonight. It looked as though the lacquer had come off and it was turning green basically.

"There were bits of pink left, but it was more green than pink by the end.

"I know that it stopped swinging, there was no reverse-swing or anything like that because both sides get chunked up equally, but the older it gets, I can't see it being any easier to see."

New Zealand's batsmen had little trouble seeing the ball during the day at Manuka Oval, scoring over 300 in their innings, and their bowlers found ample swing early to rattle through the hosts' top order.

Voges' complaints followed criticism of the pink ball from Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood, who said it was hard to see for players fielding square of the wicket late in the day and might be a safety concern.

Cricket Australia have insisted the ball is ready for the day-night test match which starts in Adelaide from November 27.

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