Pink ball too soft: Philander

Proteas seamer Vernon Philander has expressed some reservations about the pink ball that will be used in a Test against Australia in November.

Philander got his first taste of the pink ball on Saturday in leading the SA A attack in the first four-day “Test” against Australia A in Brisbane, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bowl first.

Philander returned typically tight figures of 1 for 32 in 17 overs.

“I think it's a little similar to the Duke -- except when you get past 30 overs, the ball got extremely soft. I think that's the only negative about it,” Philander said at the end of Saturday's play.

“But all in all, I think we are all excited about the pink-ball games and as long as we can improve the ball, I think we will have a good future with the pink ball.”

The fact that the pink ball became so soft could result in a repeat of the first day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide last November, where extra grass was left to ensure the ball wasn't worn out too quickly.