Pink balls will be used in day Tests to maximise playing time in trial introduced by International Cricket Council

Test-playing nations will be able to ‌use pink balls instead of red ones in traditional daytime matches ‌as part of a trial to prevent play being ​lost due to bad light.

The International Cricket Council approved the trial at a ​meeting of its board in ‌Ahmedabad on Monday and said it would also undertake research ​on lighting technology for match officials and venues to "reduce lost play due to poor light".

Bad light ​often halts play in Test ⁠matches for safety reasons, ⁠with the red ball being harder for batters to see.

Pink balls, which ‌are easier to see at floodlit stadiums, have been exclusively used in day-night Tests until ‌now.

As part of the trial, teams would need to agree to the pink ball switch before the start of a match that may be ⁠impacted by poor light.

The ICC board ​also approved a recommendation that will ​allow head coaches or other staff to ​enter the field of play during drinks ⁠breaks to consult with players in one-day and T20 internationals.

Previously, coaches' messages could only be ⁠relayed by players running drinks ​onto the field.

Allowing coaches on the field during ​strategic time-outs has been a feature of T20 franchise leagues.

There have been 25 day-night men's Tests since the first between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide 11 years ago.

Only one has taken place in England, when the hosts beat West Indies at Edgbaston in 2017.

England are considering rejecting a day-night Test for their next Ashes tour in 2029-30, but the 150th anniversary Test between the nations in Melbourne next March will be a day-nighter.

Ben Stokes' side lost by eight wickets to Australia in Brisbane in their last pink ball Test in December.