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Proteas preparing for pink ball Test

Cape Town - They still have two massive Test matches to play first, but a major highlight of South Africa's tour to Australia is the day/night Test set to take place at the Adelaide Oval on November 24. 

That will be the third and final Test of the series, but it will be the Proteas' first time using the pink ball as cricket seeks ways to preserve its longest format. 

The Australians do have the advantage of having at least played one pink ball Test in the past, having taken on New Zealand in the first ever day/night Test in November last year.

But while the Proteas may be entering uncharted waters, coach Russell Domingo seems confident that they know what to expect. 

"I watched a bit of the pink ball with Pakistan and the West Indies," Domingo said upon his side's departure from Johannesburg on Sunday.

"The new ball was taken and I watched the first seven or eight overs. It definitely looked like it was swinging a bit.

"A lot of our players played with the pink ball on the SA 'A' tour (in Australia) and they've given us some feedback.

"It's an exciting time and we're looking forward to it."

Domingo said the pink ball made for some high-scoring matches and that while it did a ,lot in the early overs, it quickly lost it's shine.

"I don't know if it's going to last five days," said Domingo.

"They've got to leave some grass on the wicket because the pink ball has a history of scuffing up very quickly.

"We've also learnt that it's very tough to bat under lights ... the ball does move around.

"We've got a few day/night games lined up ... one in Melbourne and one in Adelaide. So we'll have at least four days with the pink ball, under lights in similar conditions which will benefit us massively.

"It's an exciting Test match. Our squad is looking forward to it ... especially the bowlers; they're licking their lips. I don't know about the batters. It's something to look forward to."

The first Test takes place at the WACA on November 3.

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